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  • Title: Contraception and unwanted pregnancy.
    Author: Adler NE.
    Journal: Behav Med Update; 1984; 5(4):28-34. PubMed ID: 12313429.
    Abstract:
    An overview of research findings in the US on the psychological and social variables associated with unwanted pregnancy and on the consequences of unwanted pregnancy was provided. Studies which examined personality differences between women and adolescent females who practicaed effective contraception and thesse who experienced unwanted pregnancy consistently found that the latter group, compared to the former group, had lower self-esteem, were more passive, tended to engage in more risk taking behavior, and were less achievement and future oriented. Several studies found that those who experienced unwanted pregnancies were often poorly informed about sex and contraception. Sex education, however, did not always lead to an increase in the knowledge and use of contraception. Sex education was unable to overcome the effects of male and female sexual socialization processes in which adolescents were inculcated with a double sex standard and females with a sense of guilt concerning the use of contraception. Numerous studies showed that unperceived or denied motives played a role in the occurence of unwanted pregnancies. Unwanted pregnancies were associated with loss, and these pregnancies probably represented an attempt to replace the loss of a loved person. Women who were in conflict about their work and mothering roles, and women who did not want to work but felt pressured to do so, frequently had inappropriate pregnancies. Teenagers who were not interested in school or in future careers often had unwanted pregnancies. These pregnancies probably represented an attempt to establish a social identity. W.B. Miller identified 8 stages in the reproductive life span when unwanted pregnancies were most likely to occur. These stages were 1) the initial stage of adolescence when the individual may not be fully aware of her fertility, 2) the 1st 6 months following the initiation of sexual activity, 3) at the beginning of a new relationship, 4) during the initial stage of marriage, 5) immediately following geographical mobility, 6) immediately following a pregnancy, 7) toward the end of the reproductive period, and 8) during menopause. Several researchers investigated the factors which play a role in contraceptive decision making. All the options available to those who experienced unwanted pregnancies entailed some degree of pain. Women who chose abortion, compared to those who had term pregnancies tended to suffer less serious, longterm consequences. Most abortion patients suffered only mild or temporary stress. Abortion patients who had more serious reactions tended to be young, single, Catholid, and socially immature. Individuals who a history of psychological problems, had negative relationships with their mothers, felt ambivalent about the abortion, or felt pressured to have an abortion were also more likely to experience psychological disturbances at some point following abortion. Most studies of unwanted pregnancy were retrospective, correlational, and based on small samples. Many were based on self-selected samples. Several social factors hinder efforts to investigate this sensitive social problem. As a result, intervention strategies, designed to prevent unwanted pregnancy, are frequently based on inadequate research. Efforts must be made to increase research on unwanted pregnancy and to utilize this research to develop effective preventive strategies.
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