The current study included women who conceived using IVF (except for non-oocyte retrieval, i.e., artificial insemination using the husband’s sperm and ovarian induction). Because mothers who clinically conceived using IVF may try several different types of ART treatment before a successful IVF cycle, the finding from the current study may represent a cumulative effect. Finally, although three electronic data- bases (MEDLINE, Psychlnfo, and CINAHL) were included in this meta—analysis, the lack of a Chinese database may also have influenced results and conclusions. Although many studies have been conducted on ART since 1 978, few have compared the parenting styles of women who conceived using IVF with the parenting styles of those who con- ceived naturally. Future research on parenting styles in women who conceived using IVF should consider additional personal variables such as pregnancy complications, multiple births, premature delivery, and the children’s birth weight. Finally, additional studies are needed for women with twins and for different stressors that may elicit different parenting styles.
Conclusions This present study examined the magnitude of the difference in parenting behaviors between women who conceived using IVF and those who conceived naturally. Women who conceived using IVF were found to exhibit slightly greater controlling parenting behaviors than women who conceived naturally. No differences in warmth, rejection, or respect for autonomy parenting behaviors between the two groups of women were identified.
Acknowledgment We thank Professor Joy Johnson, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, for giving advice on writing this manuscript.