The dyadic interaction model of relationship quality and the impact of attachment orientation and empathy on infertile couples in China

Aim: The study was conducted to examine the effect of attachment orientation and empathy on the relationship quality of infertile couples and assess the inter-dependency model of these factors. Design: A cross-sectional survey. Method: In this study, 168 infertile couples (336 individuals) were enrolled and asked to finish the following questionnaires: the revised Adult Attachment Scales, the Interpersonal Response Index questionnaire and the Relationship Quality sub-scale of the Fertility Quality of Life (FertiQol). Hierarchical regression and path analysis were used to analyse the unique and combined contribution of the independent variables to relationship quality of couples. Results: The attachment orientation of infertile couples can influence their relationship quality, and empathetic wives and husbands have actor and partner effects on the infertile couples' relationship quality. Empathetic infertile couples are conducive to the harmony of the relationship.