Psychologic Factors in Contraceptive Failure

Lehfeldt, Hans; Guze, Henry

doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)35832-0

Cited by 12 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Other influential sex role related social variables include the legal status of contraception and abortion, the funding of services for young and indigent women, and the availability of contraceptive information and services. Finally, treatment received by women from physicians and other health personnel, which reflects the provider's attitudes about appropriate sex role and sexual and contraceptive behavior, will in-fluence women's attitudes and subsequent behavior (Lehfeldt & Guze, 1966;Sandberg & Jacobs, 1971).…”

Section: Social Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex roles and unwanted pregnancy in adolescent and adult women.

Adler¹

1981

Professional Psychology

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Many women each year experience an unwanted pregnancy that creates stresses for them, for their partners and families, and for health professionals. Psychologists may be able to reduce the likelihood of unwanted pregnancy as well as contribute to a constructive resolution of the crisis associated with its occurrence. 'This article highlights factors that are often associated with contraceptive use and nonuse. 7 he effects of sex roles are considered, and it is shown that socialization in traditional sex roles contributes to ineffective contraceptive protection. Problems associated with the resolution of unwanted pregnancy are presented. The implications of the research for clinical practice are discussed in terms of prevention of unwanted pregnancy, decision making concerning resolution of pregnancy, and treatment of women following an unwanted pregnancy.Unwanted pregnancy, whether terminated by abortion or carried to term, can be stressful and troubling for the pregnant woman as well as for her partner, her parents, and involved health professionals (cf., Adler, 1979a). Each year a large number of women experience an unwanted pregnancy. In 1977, for example, 1.3 million legal abortions were performed in the United States (Forrest, Tietze, & Sullivan, 1978). It is more difficult to obtain a figure for the number of unwanted or unintended pregnancies resulting in birth, since pregnancy is likely to be redefined as "wanted" if it is to be carried to term.Psychologists can play a role in the prevention of unwanted pregnancy as well as contribute to a constructive resolution of the crisis associated with its occurrence. This article highlights the research on unwanted pregnancy and its resolution, with special focus on the impact of sex role expectations and sex role socialization. Issues that may arise in treatment settings relating to prevention of unwanted pregnancy and stresses associated with its occurrence are considered. Contraceptive Use/NonuseMuch of the research on contraceptive use and nonuse has been retrospective, comparing characteristics of women who have had an unwanted pregnancy with those who have avoided it. One must be cautious in attributing differences found between these groups to predisposing variables rather than to the experience or lack of experience of unwanted pregnancy. However, the results of the few prospective studies have been consistent with those of the retrospective studies. PERSONALITY VARIABLESIn studies of individual differences between women (adolescent and adult) who have avoided or experienced unwanted pregnancy, a characteristic consistently found to relate to the effectiveness of contraceptive protection is a sense of self-competence, efficacy, and control (e.g., Adler, Note 1; Chilman, Note 2). Arnold and Slagle (Note 3) hypothesize that lower self-esteem and self-competence among women with un-56

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Section: Social Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex roles and unwanted pregnancy in adolescent and adult women.

Adler¹

1981

Professional Psychology

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“…Clinical observations and survey information have suggested various psychological reasons for not using effective contraceptive methods. Guilt, avoidance of responsibility for the decision to engage in sexual behavior, an impulsive, risktaking orientation, a desire to hold on to a relationship with a partner, a proclivity toward denial and repression, passivity, masochism, sex-role conflicts, and attitudes about "interfering with nature" are among the psychological factors cited as related to avoidance or carelessness in the use of contraceptive methods (Devereux, 1965;Fawcett, 1971;Lehfeldt & Guze, 1966;Lindemann, 1974;Miller, 1973;Pohlman, 1969;Sandburg & Jacobs, 1972;Sorenson, 1973). There are rela-Requests for reprints should be sent to Gordon E. Rader, who is now at Sierra Mental Health Medical Group, 850 Mill Street, Reno, Nevada 89S02.…”

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confidence: 99%