Introduction: Infertility-related stress can be seen as a complex construction including social, sexual and relationship concerns, need for parenthood and rejection of having a childfree life. Infertility can also have an effect on dyadic adjustment. Self-compassion is a procedure of emotional coping to increase self-esteem in infertile women and decrease infertility-related stress. Self-judgment is very weakening and stressful in infertile women. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion and self-judgment in relationship between dyadic adjustment and infertility-related stress among infertile women in Isfahan City, Iran, in 2015.

Methods: In this causal-comparative/correlational study, 282 women with primary and secondary infertility diagnosis were selected from the infertility centers of Isfahan city, in 2015, using the convenience sampling method. The participants were asked to complete the questionnaires including Fertility Problem Inventory, Dyadic Adjustment Scale and Self-Compassion Scale (short-form). To analyze the data, the equation model of AMOS (v. 22) was used.

Results: The results revealed that dyadic adjustment had a direct effect on infertility-related stress (P < 0.05). The structural relationship between dyadic adjustments and infertility-related stress was appropriate. Self-compassion partially mediated the effect of dyadic adjustment on infertility-related stress and self-judgment fully mediated the effect of dyadic adjustment on infertility-related stress (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: According to the results of the present study, providing a mood regulation therapy (self-compassion and self-judgment) and increase in dyadic adjustment will be useful to decrease infertility-related stress in infertile women.