Introduction: According to several studies, most couples with infertility problems, in the form of a deep and fundamental intertwined. Infertility has vast psychological effects on people (e.g. frustration, conflict and helplessness) and can affect the choice of parenting style. This study compared the indicators of mental health and parenting practices in infertile women applying for adoptions and fertile women.

Method: The study has a descriptive design. The study population consisted of all infertile women applying for adoptions admitted to the Forensic Medicine Organization of Khorasan Razavi during a year (2013). The subjects (43) were selected through available sample method and completed a mental health and a parenting style questionnaire, which were also applied to the control group. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (v.19) and independent t test and analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).

Results: There is a significant difference (P <0/05) between the two groups (case and control), in terms of mental health and parenting practices.

Conclusion: In the present study on indicators of mental health and parenting practices, there was a significant difference between infertile women applying for adoptions and fertile ones, that may be the result of the stress of infertility and the impact of these factors on parenting practices. Hence appropriate psychological interventions and active presence of the husband beside his wife during the course of treatment and the presence of experts in psychology and counseling is very important to solve emotional problems and compulsory education of parenting skills should be considered.