Psychological evaluations are an essential step for egg donors and gestational carriers during the assisted reproductive technology (ART) process. These evaluations help ensure that both the donors and carriers are mentally and emotionally prepared for the unique journey ahead. One of the tools used in this process is the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). Recent research has shown that using special scoring rules—or norms—tailored specifically to egg donors and gestational carriers can make these evaluations even more accurate.
This post will explain what these norms are and how they help intended parents, gestational carriers, and surrogacy agencies better understand the psychological readiness of the people involved in this life-changing process.
Why Psychological Screening Matters
Becoming an egg donor or a gestational carrier is a significant responsibility. Not only do candidates need to be physically healthy, but they also need to be emotionally and mentally ready for the journey. Psychological evaluations help assess this readiness, ensuring that donors and carriers can handle the challenges ahead.
However, the standard way of evaluating someone’s mental health doesn’t always work well for egg donors and gestational carriers. That’s because the motivations and experiences of these individuals are different from those in the general population. For example, egg donors and gestational carriers might feel pressure to present themselves in the best possible light, which can affect their evaluation results.
To address this, researchers have developed special norms—specific guidelines for interpreting test results—that take these unique factors into account. These norms help psychologists and agencies interpret the results of psychological evaluations more accurately.
The PAI test is one tool used in these evaluations. It has 344 questions that cover a range of areas like anxiety, depression, and how a person interacts with others. Using the right norms makes sure the results are accurate for people involved in surrogacy or egg donation, not just based on the general population.
Unique Patterns in Egg Donors and Gestational Carriers
In a study that looked at over 1,000 egg donor and gestational carrier candidates, researchers found some important differences between how these candidates score on psychological tests compared to the general population. One of the key findings was that both egg donors and gestational carriers tend to score higher on something called Positive Impression Management (PIM). In simple terms, this means they try to present themselves in the best possible way during their evaluation.
The study also found that egg donors and gestational carriers tend to report lower levels of anxiety and depression. While this may seem like a positive finding, it’s important to remember that people might underreport these feelings to seem more fit for the role.
This is important for surrogacy agencies and intended parents to understand because it shows that candidates are often eager to prove they’re emotionally stable and ready for the process. However, it also means that some candidates might hide their true feelings, which is why tailored norms are so helpful. These norms help professionals recognize when someone is being overly positive in their self-presentation.
Differences Between Egg Donors and Gestational Carriers
While egg donors and gestational carriers share many similarities, the study found a few differences between the two groups:
- Dominance: Egg donors scored higher on the dominance scale, meaning they tend to be more assertive or in control in social situations.
- Phobias: Gestational carriers showed slightly higher scores on the phobias subscale, which suggests they may have more specific fears, such as fear of certain situations or objects.
Although these differences are relatively small, they provide additional insights that can help intended parents and agencies better understand the mental and emotional profiles of both egg donors and gestational carriers.
Known vs. Anonymous Candidates
The study also looked at how being “known” versus “anonymous” affected the psychological profiles of egg donors and gestational carriers. Candidates who were personally connected to the intended parents (known) reported more physical complaints, like feeling aches or pains, than those who were anonymous. This could be due to the emotional complexity of being personally involved with the intended parents.
For surrogacy agencies and intended parents, this highlights the importance of understanding that emotional and physical stress can differ based on whether the relationship between the carrier or donor and the intended parents is more personal.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’re an intended parent, gestational carrier, or involved in the process of matching candidates as a representative of a surrogacy agency, this research highlights the importance of psychological screenings as part of the ART process. The PAI test can provide valuable insights into a candidate’s mental health, but it’s important to remember that the results are most helpful when interpreted using norms specific to the surrogacy and egg donation experience.
For gestational carriers and egg donors, these screenings aren’t about “passing” or “failing”—they’re about making sure you’re mentally and emotionally prepared for the journey ahead. The results can help identify areas where you might need more support, ensuring that you have the resources to handle the emotional challenges that can arise during the process.
For intended parents, understanding the psychological readiness of your gestational carrier or egg donor is key to building trust and ensuring a smooth journey. These evaluations are an essential part of the screening process, helping you feel confident that the people helping to build your family are fully prepared.
How PECNA Can Help
At PECNA, we specialize in psychological evaluations for gestational carriers, egg donors, and intended parents. We use tools like the PAI to provide comprehensive assessments, ensuring that everyone involved in the ART journey is emotionally ready and supported. If you’d like more information about our services or have questions about the screening process, contact us today. We’re here to help ensure that your journey is as smooth and supported as possible.
