Mindful Self-Compassion for Infertility-Related Distress: A Single-Group Intervention Study
M. Halleran, Ashley A. Balsom, J. L. Gordon
Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine March 10, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/27683605261427699 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post single-group intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 50 |
| Population | Women experiencing infertility |
| Intervention | Mindful self-compassion intervention |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 1-month follow-up |
| Measures | Fertility-related quality of life, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, self-compassion, relationship satisfaction |
| Key points | Fertility-related quality of life (d=0.81), mindfulness (d=0.79), and self-compassion (d=0.84) increased, while anxiety (d=0.64) and depression (d=0.69) declined, with changes maintained at 1-month follow-up. Compassion for others and relationship satisfaction did not change. |
Abstract
Objectives: Women experiencing infertility report heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and distress. However, access to affordable mental health care is limited in most areas of the world. Self-directed interventions, including bibliotherapy and mobile app-delivered interventions, provide a potentially cost-effective option for the treatment of infertility-related distress. This study assessed the efficacy of an 8-week self-directed mindful self-compassion intervention in reducing psychological distress and improving quality of life.
Methods: Fifty women experiencing infertility agreed to participate in a pre–post single-group intervention study. Fertility-related quality of life, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, self-compassion, and relationship satisfaction were assessed immediately after the intervention and again 1 month later.
Results: The intervention was well accepted. Only 5% dropped out of the program prematurely, and participants read an average of 18 out of 25 assigned book chapters. Expectancy and credibility scores were high, as were treatment satisfaction ratings. Reported levels of fertility-related quality of life (d = 0.81), mindfulness (d = 0.79), and self-compassion (d = 0.84) all increased, while levels of anxiety (d = 0.64) and depression (d = 0.69) significantly declined following the intervention. These changes were maintained at the 1-month follow-up. Compassion for others and relationship satisfaction were high at baseline and did not change following completion of the intervention.
Conclusion: This 8-week self-directed mindfulness self-compassion intervention appears to be a promising treatment for emotional distress related to infertility.