Psychometric evaluation of the 'Jefferson Scale of Empathy' in a sample of nursing students in the United Kingdom.

AIM: To examine the psychometric properties of the 'Jefferson Scale of Empathy'. DESIGN: A methodological study was conducted. METHODS: A sample of 230 nursing students was used to analyse the psychometric properties of the 'Jefferson Scale of Empathy'. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was used to test construct validity. Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlations were carried out to test internal consistency reliability. RESULTS: The mean score of the empathy SUM was 112.0 (SD: 12.6). A three-factor model was explored. This factor structure does not replicate the original 'Jefferson Scale of Empathy' when it was validated with medical students, but it is in line with later research with nursing students. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.80 for the SUM and 0.80-0.84 for individual items. Item-total correlation coefficients were 0.01-0.63. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Because this study focused on nursing students. No patients or the public were involved.

Does Health & Her app use improve menopausal symptoms? A longitudinal cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The Health & Her app provides menopausal women with a means of monitoring their symptoms, symptom triggers and menstrual periods, and enables them to engage in a variety of digital activities designed to promote well-being. This study aimed to examine whether sustained weekly engagement with the app is associated with improvements in menopausal symptoms. DESIGN: A pre-post longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Analysed data collected from Health & Her app users. PARTICIPANTS: 1900 women who provided symptom data via the app across a 2-month period. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptom changes from baseline to 2 months was the outcome measure. A linear mixed effects model explored whether levels of weekly app engagement influenced symptom changes. Secondary analyses explored whether app-usage factors such as total number of days spent logging symptoms, reporting triggers, reporting menstrual periods and using in-app activities were independently predictive of symptom changes from baseline. Covariates included hormone replacement therapy use, hormonal contraceptive use, present comorbidities, age and dietary supplement use. RESULTS: Findings demonstrated that greater engagement with the Health & Her app for 2 months was associated with greater reductions in symptoms over time. Daily use of in-app activities and logging symptoms and menstrual periods were each independently associated with symptom reductions. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that greater weekly engagement with the app was associated with greater reductions in symptoms. It is recommended that women be made aware of menopause-specific apps, such as that provided by Health & Her, to support them to manage their symptoms.

Development of a brief menstrual quality of life measure for women with heavy menstrual bleeding.

BACKGROUND: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence advises that considerations around quality of life should be made when assessing and treating heavy menstrual bleeding. A quick and reliable method for women to assess the impact of HMB on their quality of life might encourage help-seeking. This research aimed to develop a new 10-item measure of menstrual quality of life (the PERIOD-QOL). METHODS: Three pilot studies describe PERIOD-QOL development and a cross-sectional survey (N = 376) assessed PERIOD-QOL scores in women who reported HMB and those who did not. A population sample of women (mean age 30.29, SD = 9.06) completed the PERIOD-QOL and rated their menstrual bleeding as heavy/very heavy/extremely heavy (HMB group) or very light/light/moderate bleeding (LMMB) group. Data were analysed using independent samples Analysis of Variance and independent samples t-tests. RESULTS: Cronbach's Alpha for the PERIOD-QOL = .88. A significant reduction in PERIOD-QOL scores was found across the 6 levels of bleeding from very light to extremely heavy, and significantly lower PERIOD-QOL scores were reported in the HMB than the LMMB group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the PERIOD-QOL is a reliable measure and that women experiencing HMB reported significantly lower menstrual quality of life than those who did not. Further validation of the PERIOD-QOL is required to determine its relationships with existing measures of menstrual quality of life and to establish whether PERIOD-QOL scores are associated with decisions to seek help from health professionals and with verified diagnoses of conditions that cause HMB.

Symptom monitoring improves physical and emotional outcomes during menopause: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: A recent systematic review suggested that symptom monitoring can result in reductions in menopausal symptoms and improvements in health-related behaviors. To date, no studies have experimentally investigated whether symptom monitoring could be a beneficial intervention during the menopause transition.Methods: One hundred perimenopausal and postmenopausal women (mean age, 46 y; SD, 8 y) were randomized into either a monitoring-intervention or control group. A mixed between/within design was used, with group membership (ie, monitoring-intervention or control) as the between-subjects component and time (ie, baseline and 2-wk follow-up) as the within-subjects component. Dependent variables included symptom reductions and emotional reactions as measured via the Daily Record Keeping form. Secondary outcomes included help-seeking, communication, medical decision making, health awareness, self-efficacy, and health anxiety.Results: A linear mixed-effects model demonstrated that the monitoring-intervention group reported a 42% reduction in physical symptoms at follow-up versus a 12% reduction in the control group: ρ = 0.009, ß = 6.3, 95% CI (1.5-11). Negative emotions also significantly reduced in the monitoring-intervention group but did not alter in the control group: ρ < 0.001, ß = 3.4, and 95% CI (1.6-5.2). These effects remained significant after controlling for potential moderator variables such as trait neuroticism and coping preferences and potential confounders such as medical and demographic characteristics. Variances in other health outcomes were nonsignificant.Conclusions: Findings demonstrated that symptom monitoring reduced symptoms and negative emotions within a perimenopausal and postmenopausal sample, and these outcomes endured after controlling for key moderators and covariates. However, symptom monitoring was not related to improvements in health-related behavioral outcomes, which contrasts with previous findings. These findings show that symptom monitoring may be useful within healthcare settings by providing perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with a simple and accessible means of symptom alleviation while they await treatment or medical consultation.

Physical activity interventions for the mental health of children: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review explored the effectiveness of using physical activity (PA) interventions to enhance psychological well-being and reduce psychological ill-being (e.g., anxiety and depression) in children aged six to 11 years old from the general population. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for studies published between January 2005 and June 2020: Web of Science, ProQuest Psychology Journals, PsycINFO, Pub Med, ASSIA, CINHAL PLUS, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE and Wiley Online Library. Search terms included 'physical activity intervention', 'psychological well-being' and 'child*'. After removing duplicates, 11 390 studies were independently screened by two authors based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and assessed for risk of bias. RESULTS: A total of 23 studies were narratively synthesized and categorized into four domains: Quality of Life (QOL), body image, self-esteem and psychological ill-being. Evidence was provided for the impact of PA interventions in improving QOL, body image and self-esteem. Despite the positive effect on psychological well-being, evidence for a reduction in the frequency and severity of symptoms associated with psychological ill-being in children is less clear. CONCLUSIONS: Reviewed studies support the use of PA interventions in enhancing the psychological well-being of children in school and community settings. More research is warranted to understand the impact of PA interventions on reducing psychological ill-being in children from the general population.

"The stress can be unbearable, but the good times are like finding gold": A phase one modelling survey to inform the development of a self-help positive reappraisal coping intervention for caregivers of those with autism spectrum disorder.

Caregivers of individuals with ASD can experience various practical, psychological, and social demands and need effective ways of coping to ameliorate the negative effects of caregiving. Numerous coping strategies are available, but the literature shows that caregivers can still struggle to cope, suggesting that interventions to support coping efforts could be beneficial. The MRC framework advocates the systematic development and evaluation of interventions, and this study was conducted to inform the future development of a self-help Positive Reappraisal Coping Intervention (PRCI) for these caregivers. The aim was to establish whether positive reappraisal coping strategies were used and associated with greater psychological wellbeing, prior to developing such an intervention. METHOD: Caregivers of individuals with ASD (N = 112) responded to items from an existing PRCI (Lancastle, 2006; Lancastle & Boivin, 2008), by writing about aspects of caregiving that reflected the meaning of each item. They also completed questionnaires assessing resilience, caregiving burden, and positive and negative emotions. RESULTS: Participants provided significantly more positive responses than negative responses to PRCI items, demonstrating their use of positive reappraisal coping. Thematic analyses showed that positive responses focused on factors such as their loved one's personality and achievements, the contributions caregivers had made to this person's progress, the support received, and their own personal development. Positive reappraisal coping was associated with greater resilience, more positive and less negative emotions, and a lesser sense of caregiver burden. CONCLUSION: This modelling study suggests that positive reappraisal strategies were used by caregivers and associated with greater psychological wellbeing. The findings will inform the development of a self-help PRCI for the caregivers of those with ASD. Future studies will systematically evaluate that PRCI to determine the nature of intervention effects and mediators and moderators of effects.

Evaluating the Effects of Symptom Monitoring on Menopausal Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Evidence suggests that monitoring and appraising symptoms can result in increased engagement in medical help-seeking, improved patient-doctor communication, and reductions in symptom prevalence and severity. To date, no systematic reviews have investigated whether symptom monitoring could be a useful intervention for menopausal women. This review explored whether symptom monitoring could improve menopausal symptoms and facilitate health-related behaviours. Results suggested that symptom monitoring was related to improvements in menopausal symptoms, patient-doctor communication and medical decision-making, heightened health awareness, and stronger engagement in setting treatment goals. Meta-analyses indicated large effects for the prolonged use of symptom diaries on hot flush frequencies. Between April 2019 and April 2021, PsychInfo, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane, ProQuest, PsychArticles, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. Eighteen studies met the eligibility criteria and contributed data from 1,718 participants. Included studies quantitatively or qualitatively measured the impact of symptom monitoring on menopausal populations and symptoms. Research was narratively synthesised using thematic methods, 3 studies were examined via meta-analysis. Key themes suggest that symptom monitoring is related to improvements in menopausal symptoms, improved patient-doctor communication and medical decision-making, increased health awareness, and stronger engagement in goal-setting behaviours. Meta-analysis results indicated large effects for the prolonged use of symptom diaries on hot flush frequency: 0.73 [0.57, 0.90]. This review is limited due to the low number of studies eligible for inclusion, many of which lacked methodological quality. These results indicate that symptom monitoring has potential as an effective health intervention for women with menopausal symptoms. This intervention may be beneficial within healthcare settings, in order to improve patient-doctor relations and adherence to treatment regimes. However, findings are preliminary and quality assessments suggest high risk of bias. Thus, further research is needed to support these promising outcomes. Systematic Review Registration Number: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?, PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42019146270.

Review: Physical activity interventions for the mental health and well-being of adolescents - a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Rates of physical activity decline throughout adolescence, and evidence indicates that this has an adverse impact on psychological health. This paper aims to synthesise available evidence for physical activity interventions on the mental health and well-being of young people (11-19 years) from the general population. METHOD: Nine databases were searched to identify studies published between January 2005 and June 2020: Web of Science, ProQuest Psychology Journals, PsycINFO, Pub Med, ASSIA, CINHAL PLUS, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE and Wiley Online Library. Key search terms included 'physical activity intervention', 'mental health' and 'adolescen*'. Eligible studies were independently screened by two authors based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-eight interventions were narratively synthesised in four categories: Quality of Life (QOL), self-esteem, psychological well-being and psychological ill-being (e.g. depression, stress). A large proportion (67.9%) of interventions were multicomponent and combined physical activity with other features such as health education (e.g. nutrition). However, only a limited number (N = 5) specifically addressed mental health. Findings suggest that interventions are useful in improving psychological well-being and QOL, yet evidence for self-esteem is mixed. CONCLUSIONS: Although effectiveness in improving well-being is evident, evidence for a reduction in the frequency and severity of mental health problems is less clear. A summary of the overall impact of physical activity interventions on the mental health of young people is presented.

"Walking in Their Shoes": The effects of an immersive digital story intervention on empathy in nursing students.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of a novel, immersive digital story intervention on empathy. DESIGN: A randomized trial with three phases. RESULTS: A total of 238 2nd year nursing students were recruited between May 2018 and December 2019. At baseline, no significant differences in empathy between the groups were found (p = .760). However, at post-test, empathy was significantly higher in the intervention group (M: 118.76, SD: 10.65) than it was in the control group (M: 114.60, SD: 15.40) (p = .012). At follow-up, there were no significant differences in empathy between the groups (p = .364). CONCLUSION: The intervention resulted in an immediate increase in empathy in nursing students. However, further development of effective intervention delivery modes and fundamental redesign of the intervention itself would be needed to sustain this improvement over the long term.

The Effectiveness of Brief Information and Self-Efficacy-Based Interventions in Influencing Snack Choices in Homeless Individuals.

BACKGROUND: Homeless adults frequently experience poor nutrition. Research suggests raising self-efficacy and nutritional knowledge can increase healthy eating but that the choice of specific behavioral change techniques (BCTs) is also critical. This study investigated how BCTs, operationalized to increase nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy, might influence the choice of homeless adults when presented with a "healthy" and an "unhealthy" snack. METHODS: A total of 125 homeless adults were randomly allocated to watch 1 of 4 brief films: "control," "[nutrition] information only," "self-efficacy" (aimed at increasing self-efficacy and general healthy eating knowledge), and "enhanced self-efficacy" (as "self-efficacy," but the presenter identified themselves as a homeless adult). Post-film, participants were invited to choose between a healthy and an unhealthy snack. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and chi square. RESULTS: Participants in the "enhanced self-efficacy" condition were significantly more likely to choose the healthy option compared to those in the control condition; for the "self-efficacy" condition, the difference was marginally significant. Perceived knowledge and self-efficacy were significantly associated and those with high self-efficacy were significantly more likely to choose a healthy snack regardless of condition. CONCLUSION: Homeless adults are more likely to make healthy snack choices if their nutritional self-efficacy is increased through encouragement by a peer.

A strategy for implementing genomics into nursing practice informed by three behaviour change theories.

Genomics is an ever increasing aspect of nursing practice, with focus being directed towards improving health. The authors present an implementation strategy for the incorporation of genomics into nursing practice within the UK, based on three behaviour change theories and the identification of individuals who are likely to provide support for change. Individuals identified as Opinion Leaders and Adopters of genomics illustrate how changes in behaviour might occur among the nursing profession. The core philosophy of the strategy is that genomic nurse Adopters and Opinion Leaders who have direct interaction with their peers in practice will be best placed to highlight the importance of genomics within the nursing role. The strategy discussed in this paper provides scope for continued nursing education and development of genomics within nursing practice on a larger scale. The recommendations might be of particular relevance for senior staff and management.

Identifying the characteristics of nurse opinion leaders to aid the integration of genetics in nursing practice.

AIM: To identify the characteristics of nurses opinion leaders in the context of genetics in health care and consider the findings for the integration of genetics in nursing practice. BACKGROUND: Nurses need a basic understanding of the role genetics plays in their practice and about how best to support patients using genetic knowledge. Opinion leaders have been used previously to incorporate change initiatives and increase educational application. Identifying the characteristics of nurse opinion leaders may aid the engagement and continued integration of genetics into nursing practice. DESIGN: A primarily quantitative approach over two phases, using online surveys conducted during 2011. METHOD: This article focuses on Phase 2 of a wider study. Oncology and primary care nurses were surveyed to identify the characteristics and demographic indicators of nurse opinion leaders. Tests for data normality followed by the suitable test for group comparison was applied with significance level set at <0·05. RESULTS: Nineteen respondents (n = 19/88; 21·6%) were categorized as opinion leaders and two subgroups were identified: Genetic Opinion Leaders and Opinion Leaders with an Interest in Genetics. Seven characteristics were deemed statistically significant (Mann-Whitney, Chi-Square, t-test) in identifying nurse opinion leaders, including being open to experience and having a perceived level of influence over others. CONCLUSION: The identified characteristics could be used to enhance the integration of genetics into nursing practice through the use of opinion leaders. Further thought needs to be given to the refinement of the identified characteristics and to the use of such a unique group of nurses.

Using the Diffusion of Innovations theory to understand the uptake of genetics in nursing practice: identifying the characteristics of genetic nurse adopters.

AIM: To identify the characteristics of nurses who are using genetics in practice and consider the implications of the findings for optimizing its wider uptake. BACKGROUND: Nurses are crucial in realizing the benefits from advances in genetic and genomic health care. Although many recognize genetics as an important component of disease, most feel unprepared to engage with it in practice. The Diffusion of Innovation theory provides a useful framework to describe different levels of engagement. Identifying the characteristics of nurses who have engaged with genetics (adopters) may provide insights of relevance to promoting wider adoption. DESIGN: A primarily quantitative approach over two phases, using online surveys conducted during 2011. METHOD: In phase 1, consensus (>75%) was sought from experts in genetics and nursing on four potential Indicators of Genetic Adoption could identify nurses who have adopted genetics. In phase 2, oncology and primary care nurses were surveyed to identify the characteristics and demographic indicators of genetic nurse adopters. RESULTS: A consensus was achieved to include all Indicators of Genetic Adoption (phase 1). In phase 2, 27·3% of respondents (n = 24/88) were categorized as being adopters. Eighteen characteristics were determined to be statistically significant (Mann-Whitney) in defining an adopter and included being open to experience and being more knowledgeable of and confident in using genetics. CONCLUSION: Nurses can be categorized in terms of their engagement with genetics through several distinguishing characteristics. Further research is needed to test the generalizability of the findings to a larger sample and other areas of nursing practice.

A qualitative study of women's experiences of familial ovarian cancer screening.

OBJECTIVE: One risk management strategy that women at increased familial risk of ovarian cancer may use is screening. Until recently, this has been available as part of the UK Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study (UKFOCSS), using ultrasound scans of the ovaries and tumour marker blood tests. The present study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of women's experiences of participating in ovarian cancer screening. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 48 UKFOCSS participants. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and relevant sections analysed using a framework approach. RESULTS: Screening provided women with reassurance which they found beneficial. A sense of privilege, as well as feeling proactive in potentially detecting ovarian cancer at an early stage was described. The wider benefit to research and the potential impact this could have on others was also important to women. Negative experiences of screening included worry about the screening tests and results, false reassurance by test results and disappointment with ineffective screening. Aspects of the screening study, such as the logistics, organisation and communication, were described as both good and problematic. When weighed up by the women, most described an overall positive experience of screening. CONCLUSIONS: Women reported both positive and negative experiences of screening. Overall, screening seemed to be an acceptable risk management strategy to most women who participated in this interview study. Improvements could be made particularly in helping women to understand the limitations of familial ovarian cancer screening in order to avoid false reassurance.

Catalysts to withdrawal from familial ovarian cancer screening for surgery and reactions to discontinued screening: a qualitative study.

Women at high risk of familial ovarian cancer face a potentially difficult risk management choice between unproven ovarian cancer screening (OCS) and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). It is not fully understood why women who initially opt for OCS may later undergo BSO, nor what the impact of this may be. This study explored the catalysts for surgery and reactions to discontinuing OCS. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 21 women who had undergone surgery having initially chosen OCS to explore their screening experiences, reasons for and feelings about surgery, and reactions to discontinuing OCS. The invasive nature and frequency of OCS were not by themselves a catalyst for surgery. A number of catalysts, including abnormal OCS test results, and secondary considerations, such as age-related factors, were found to prompt surgery. The emotional impact of discontinuing OCS following BSO varied between relief, acceptance, and loss of reassurance. OCS appears to be an acceptable risk management strategy under certain circumstances, but varying factors can prompt the decision to opt instead for BSO. The complexity of this management change decision should not be underestimated and needs to be taken into account by clinicians assisting women making choices. These findings highlight the importance of the timing of decision-making about BSO and that risk management options need routine reconsideration, through clinical discussions, information and support.

The transition of care from fertility specialists to obstetricians: maternal adjustment and postpartum depressive symptoms.

AIM: This study examines the transition from fertility to obstetrical care of women who conceived through IVF. MATERIALS & METHODS: 33 women filled out questionnaires before IVF, during pregnancy and after birth on infertility stress, maternal adjustment and depressive symptoms. During pregnancy, they participated in an interview about their emotional experiences regarding the transition. Responses were sorted into three categories: Autonomy, Dependence and Avoidance. RESULTS: Exploratory results show that 51.5% of women had no difficulties making the transition (Autonomy), 21.2% had become dependent (Dependence) and 27.3% had distanced themselves from the specialists (Avoidance). Women who became dependent had more trouble adjusting to motherhood and more depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Difficulty making the transition may be linked to decreased ability to adjust to motherhood and more postpartum depressive symptoms.

Psychological outcomes of familial ovarian cancer screening: no evidence of long-term harm.

OBJECTIVES: Ovarian cancer screening for women at increased genetic risk in the UK involves 4-monthly CA125 tests and annual ultrasound, with further tests prompted by an abnormal result. The study evaluated the longer-term psychological and behavioural effects of frequent ovarian screening. METHODS: Women completed T1 questionnaires before their first routine 4-monthly CA125 test, and T2 follow-up questionnaires one week after their result. Women with abnormal results completed a further questionnaire one week after return to routine screening (T3 primary end-point). T4 questionnaires were sent at nine months. Measures included cancer distress, general anxiety/depression, reassurance, and withdrawal from screening. RESULTS: A total 1999 (62%) of 3224 women completed T1 questionnaires. T2 questionnaires were completed by 1384/1609 participants (86%): 1217 (89%) with normal results and 167/242 (69%) with abnormal results. T3 questionnaires were completed by 141/163 (87%) women, with 912/1173 (78%) completing T4 questionnaires. Analysis of covariance indicated that, compared to women with normal results, women with abnormal results reported moderate cancer distress (F = 27.47, p ≤ .001, η(2) = 0.02) one week after their abnormal result and were significantly more likely to withdraw from screening (OR = 4.38, p ≤ .001). These effects were not apparent at T3 or T4. The effect of screening result on general anxiety/depression or overall reassurance was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Women participating in frequent ovarian screening who are recalled for an abnormal result may experience transient cancer-specific distress, which may prompt reconsideration of risk management options. Health professionals and policy makers may be reassured that frequent familial ovarian screening does not cause sustained psychological harm.

Withdrawal from familial ovarian cancer screening for surgery: findings from a psychological evaluation study (PsyFOCS).

OBJECTIVE: A prospective psychological evaluation study of familial ovarian cancer screening (PsyFOCS) is underway in partnership with the UK Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study (UK FOCSS Phase 2). One of the aims of PsyFOCS is to examine factors associated with withdrawal from the UK FOCSS prior to the onset of 4-monthly screening. METHOD: 1999 of 3224 women completed a baseline questionnaire. 110 (5.5%) women withdrew from screening prior to their first routine Phase 2 screen, of which 73 (66.4% of withdrawals) had withdrawn because they had undergone removal of their ovaries and fallopian tubes (withdrawn group). The comparison group consisted of 1868 women who remained on screening. The baseline questionnaire included measures of cancer-specific distress, anxiety, depression and illness perceptions. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis indicated that having had prior annual (Phase 1) screening (OR=13.34, p<.01), past experience of further tests (OR=2.37, p<.01) and greater cancer-specific distress (OR=1.38, p<.01) were associated with withdrawal for surgery. Belief in ageing as a cause of ovarian cancer was also associated with withdrawal (OR=1.32, p=.05). CONCLUSION: These cross-sectional data suggest that withdrawal from familial ovarian cancer screening may be influenced by both clinical and psychological factors. These may reflect women's experience of the drawbacks of screening and increased concern about ovarian cancer risk, as well as having opportunities to consider surgery as an alternative risk management strategy whilst using screening as an interim measure.

Medical waiting periods: imminence, emotions and coping.

The diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions requires patients to wait for results that are potentially threatening to their wellbeing (e.g., breast biopsy results, pregnancy test results after fertility treatment and genetic screening outcomes). Little research has been carried out to document the psychological processes that unfold during such waiting periods. The aim of the present study was to document the course of anxiety, depression, positive affect and coping during the waiting period before a pregnancy test result in fertility treatment. Using a daily record-keeping chart designed for fertility treatment, 61 women undergoing IVF were monitored daily for emotional reactions (e.g., anxiety, depression and positive affect) and coping during 7 days of active treatment (stimulation), 7 days of waiting to find out whether a pregnancy was achieved (waiting) and 4 days of reacting to the pregnancy test results (outcome). The stimulation stage of treatment was characterized by positive affect with a lesser degree of anxiety, whereas the predominant emotions in the waiting stage were a combination of positive affect and anxiety symptoms versus depression. From the pregnancy test day onwards, the predominant emotion was depression. There was a significant increase in coping activity between the stimulation and waiting stages, with variable effects across coping strategies. It was concluded that whilst medical waiting periods have a clearly defined emotional trajectory, the coping pattern is less differentiated. This may explain why waiting for medical test results is so demanding. Healthcare professionals can assist their patients by facilitating coping strategies that better fit the demands of the waiting period and by offering support once outcomes are known.