Contraceptive Use Among Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence and Reproductive Coercion: The Moderating Role of PTSD and Depression

Overview

Journal Violence Against Women

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialties Emergency Medicine
Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2023 Feb 10

PMID 36762382

Authors

Jessica L Zemlak

Lea Marineau

Tiara C Willie

Helena Addison

Gabrielle Edwards

Trace Kershaw

Kamila A Alexander

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Women experiencing reproductive coercion (RC) report more unintended pregnancies and mental health symptoms that can influence contraceptive use patterns. We examined associations between RC and contraceptive use among intimate partner violence (IPV) exposed women aged 18-35 ( = 283). We tested depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and co-morbid depression and PTSD as effect modifiers. Though no association was found between RC and contraception, PTSD significantly modified this relationship. Among Black women ( = 112), those reporting RC and either PTSD or comorbid PTSD and depression were less likely to use partner-independent contraception compared to those reporting RC without mental health symptoms. PTSD could be a barrier to contraceptive choice among this population.

Citing Articles

Factors associated with unintended pregnancy and contraceptive practices in justice-involved adolescent girls in Australia.

Smith H, Wilson M, Donovan B, Jones J, Butler T, Nathan S PLoS One. 2024; 19(6):e0304825.

PMID: 38889164 PMC: 11185493. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304825.

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