A longitudinal mediation analysis of relationship catastrophizing, perceived partner support, and sexual well-being in couples seeking medically assisted reproduction.

Couples navigating medically assisted reproduction (MAR) may respond to relationship stressors by catastrophizing. Catastrophizers may be more likely to seek support indirectly; partners may miss these cues such that their responses are seen as unsupportive, which may impact sexual desire and distress. We investigated whether relationship catastrophizing predicted lower sexual desire and greater sexual distress, via lower perceived partner support, across 1 year.