Validation of the short-form reproductive coercion scale with Appalachian women

Swan, Laura E. T.; Hales, Travis; Ely, Gretchen E.; Auerbach, Samantha; Agbemenu, Kafuli

doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2021.04.024

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Future research should also make efforts recruit more racially and ethnically diverse samples within the Appalachian region to inform culturally tailored interventions. Research investigating scale validation and measurement of relevant constructs (e.g., reproductive pressure) with Appalachian samples (Swan et al, 2021) should continue and expand, allowing for the collection of valid and reliable data that can inform community-driven solutions for the Appalachian context. While the relationship between IPV and reproductive coercion is well established, pressure experienced from other sources (e.g., family, friends, in-laws, religious communities) warrants further exploration.…”

Section: Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive Autonomy in Appalachia: An Investigation into Perceived Contraceptive Pressure

Huslage

Ely

Nugent

et al. 2022

J Interpers Violence

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The reproductive autonomy of persons who can give birth can be impeded through forms of interpersonal violence and coercion. Moreover, macro-level factors (e.g., poverty, discrimination, community violence, legislative policies) may impede the reproductive autonomy of entire communities. This study investigates a form of violence we term perceived contraceptive pressure in Appalachia, an understudied region of the Eastern U.S., regarding reproductive health and decision-making. Through targeted Meta advertising, participants ( N = 632) residing in Appalachian zip codes completed an online survey on reproductive health. The focus of this study was to investigate the prevalence of perceived contraceptive pressure, who was at increased risk of experiencing pressure, and the source(s) of perceived pressure. Binomial regressions were conducted on three different dependent variables: perceived pressure to be sterilized, perceived pressure to use birth control, and perceived pressure not to use birth control. Approximately half of all respondents (49.5%) reported experiencing at least one type of pressure targeting contraceptive decision-making. The most prevalent source of perceived pressure to use birth control was from the healthcare provider (67.4%), and the most prevalent source of perceived pressure not to use birth control was the respondent’s partner (51.1%). Recommendations for providers serving clients in the Appalachian region include pursuing education regarding contraceptive pressure at the individual level and macro-level. In addition, Appalachian residents may benefit from educational programming on reproductive autonomy, healthy relationships, and how to navigate pressure in relationships.

show abstract

Section: Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive Autonomy in Appalachia: An Investigation into Perceived Contraceptive Pressure

Huslage

Ely

Nugent

et al. 2022

J Interpers Violence

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…One study included only females who had children or were pregnant [ 31 ]. Ten studies were conducted in in Australia [ 18 , 31 , 35 , 38 , 42 , 44 − 48 ], nine in the United States [ 32 – 34 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 49 − 51 ], and one in each of the Netherlands [ 52 ], Canada [ 41 ], the United Kingdom [ 53 ], sub-Saharan Africa [ 36 ] and South Africa [ 43 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Re-defining reproductive coercion using a socio-ecological lens: a scoping review

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Reproductive coercion is a significant public health issue in Australia which has mainly been conceptualised as a form of violence at the interpersonal level. This limited scope ignores the role of the gendered drivers of violence and fails to encompass a socio-ecological lens which is necessary to consider the multiple interacting layers that create the context in which reproductive coercion occurs. The aim of the scoping review was to explore how the reproductive coercion is defined by international research. Specifically, how is reproductive coercion defined at the social-cultural-systems-structural levels, and are the definitions of reproductive coercion inclusive of the conditions and contexts in which reproductive coercion occurs? Methods A scoping review was undertaken to explore existing definitions of reproductive coercion. Searches were conducted on Embase, Cochrane Library, Informit Health Collection, and the EBSCOHost platform. Google was also searched for relevant grey literature. Articles were included if they were: theoretical research, reviews, empirical primary research, grey literature or books; published between January 2018 and May 2022; written in English; and focused on females aged 18–50 years. Data from eligible articles were deductively extracted and inductively thematically analysed to identify themes describing how reproductive coercion is defined. Results A total of 24 articles were included in the scoping review. Most research defined reproductive coercion at the interpersonal level with only eight articles partially considering and four articles fully considering the socio-cultural-systems-structural level. Thematic analysis identified four main themes in reproductive coercion definitions: Individual external exertion of control over a woman’s reproductive autonomy; Systems and structures; Social and cultural determinants; and Freedom from external forces to achieve reproductive autonomy. Conclusions We argue for and propose a more inclusive definition of reproductive coercion that considers the gendered nature of reproductive coercion, and is linked to power, oppression and inequality, which is and can be perpetrated and/or facilitated at the interpersonal, community, organisational, institutional, systems, and societal levels as well as by the state.

show abstract

“…Of the various publications on a reproductive coercion scale or its validation, none of these articles assessed the internal consistency of the subscales [ 10 , 27 ]. Either internal consistency was not considered [ 27 ] or only internal consistency of the entire scale was reported [ 10 , 12 ]. We recognize the importance of this issue and believe that the psychometric properties of this scale require further analysis to ensure that the dimensions of reproductive coercion are properly measured.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, the operationalization of RC remains in the developmental stage. Although several rigorous scales are used to measure this phenomenon [ 3 , 12 ], they have not been validated in different populations or in diverse languages. Moreover, the concept of RC is still emerging, and several qualitative studies have provided a better understanding of the processes of this phenomenon and its manifestations since the initial development of these scales [ 7 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following Miller’s pioneering work on RC, two types of behaviors have been identified in the literature: birth control sabotage and pregnancy coercion [ 10 ]. Birth control sabotage refers to behaviors that interfere with the use of contraception [ 8 , 11 , 12 ], including hiding, removing or destroying contraceptive methods [ 8 , 13 ]. Pregnancy coercion refers to behaviors aimed at forcing an unwanted pregnancy [ 3 , 13 , 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Reproductive Coercion by Intimate Partners: Prevalence and Correlates in Canadian Individuals with the Capacity to be Pregnant

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives Despite the large body of research on violence against women, violence that specifically targets women’s reproductive autonomy and control over their reproductive health, called reproductive coercion (RC), is poorly documented in Canada. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of RC behaviors in an adult Canadian community sample and to explore associated factors. Study design A self-report online questionnaire was administered from September 2020 to April 2021 in Quebec and Ontario, Canada. Participants were recruited via social media, sexual and reproductive health clinics, community-based anti-violence organizations, and the project’s partner organizations. The questionnaire contained validated RC questionnaire items and new items drawn from previous qualitative work. The sample comprised 427 participants, mostly self-identified as women (92%), aged 18 to 55 years (M = 29.01; SD = 6.64). Descriptive analyses and binary logistic regressions were conducted using SPSS 27. Results The results of this study show that 63.9% of participants reported at least one lifetime experience of RC. According to our data, contraceptive sabotage was the most common form (62.8%). Of the participants who had been pregnant, 9.8% reported control of pregnancy outcomes. Each RC category shows a different pattern of correlates. The findings also reveal that intimate partner violence (IPV) increases the likelihood of contraceptive sabotage. Moreover, the study suggests that low education level and IPV increase the risk for control of pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of RC in the lives of many Canadian individuals with the capacity to be pregnant, and they highlight certain factors that place individuals at greater risk for RC. This knowledge can inform the development of prevention efforts and clinical interventions.

show abstract

Validation of the short-form reproductive coercion scale with Appalachian women

Cited by 6 publications

References 32 publications

Reproductive Autonomy in Appalachia: An Investigation into Perceived Contraceptive Pressure

Reproductive Autonomy in Appalachia: An Investigation into Perceived Contraceptive Pressure

Re-defining reproductive coercion using a socio-ecological lens: a scoping review

Reproductive Coercion by Intimate Partners: Prevalence and Correlates in Canadian Individuals with the Capacity to be Pregnant

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About