Quality-of-life measurement is a basic prerequisite for psychologically sensitive
fertility care and the FertiQoL is a psychometrically sound outcome measure in this
field. The aim of the present research was to investigate the reliability and validity
of the Hungarian Core FertiQoL. Two independent samples of infertile women were merged
(n = 320). While the model fit of the four-factor Confirmatory Factor Analysis was
under the level of acceptability (chi(2)(246) = 626.36,p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.070 [CI90=
0.063-0.076], CFI = 0.878, SRMR = 0.071), the four-factor Exploratory Structural Equation
Model showed much improved model fit (chi(2)(186) = 395.63,p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.059
[CI90= 0.051-0.067], CFI = 0.933, SRMR = 0.035). Good internal consistency (Cronbach's
Alphas 0.77-0.92) and construct reliability (0.75-0.95) were found for both factor
structures. Depression correlated negatively with fertility-specific quality of life.
Almost a quarter of the sample suffered from moderate-to-severe depression. Multivariate
analysis of variance indicated that Beck Depression Inventory categories (mild, moderate
etc.) co-occurred with significantly distinct FertiQoL score ranges, leading to a
possible, clinically meaningful threshold on the Core FertiQoL. Pearson coefficients
showed secondary infertility, rural residency and pre-treatment status to be associated
with better fertility quality of life.
