The relationship between acceptance, self-compassion and hope in infertile women: a structural equation analysis

Objective This study aimed to determine the relationship between psychological acceptance, self-compassion and hope in infertile women. Background Infertility distress can make women more vulnerable than men. Acceptance, self-compassion and hope can help infertile women to alleviate their distresses and to peruse the medical treatments. Methods This study was performed using a cross-sectional descriptive correlational design; A total of 346 women with primary infertility referred to infertility centres of Yazd, Isfahan and Kerman provinces, Iran, participated in the study by completing the self-compassion scale, hope scale and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II). Data were analysed using structural equation analysis. Results The results of structural equation analysis showed that the path coefficient of self-compassion on acceptance (r = .69, p < .01) and hope (r = .29, p < .05) in infertile women was direct and significant. Acceptance also had a direct effect on hope in infertile women (r = .31, p < .05) and played a significant mediating role in the relationship between self-compassion and hope in infertile women. Conclusions The findings suggest that self-compassion is likely to be an important strategic intervention alongside medical treatments for infertile women, because it leads to problem acceptance and then increases hope in them.