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  • Title: Communication and contraceptive practices in adolescent couples.
    Author: Polit-O'Hara D, Kahn JR.
    Journal: Adolescence; 1985; 20(77):33-43. PubMed ID: 3984813.
    Abstract:
    This study presents a descriptive analysis of the content, frequency, and timing of couple communication regarding birth control among stable, sexually active adolescent couples, and the effect of communication on actual contraceptive practices. The sample consisted of 83 couples in which the female partner was 15-18 years old. All couples had been sexually active at least two months prior to the interview. The majority of couples had discussed birth control on at least one occasion, but discussions prior to first intercourse were atypical. Couples with good communication patterns were more likely to practice effective contraception. One-fourth of the respondents felt that contraception had not been adequately discussed, and these individuals were found to be most at risk to an unintended pregnancy. This study presents a descriptive analysis of the content, frequency, and timing of couple communication regarding birth control among stable, sexually active adolescent couples in the Greater Boston area, and the effect of communication on actual contraceptive practices. The sample consists of 83 couples in which the female partner was 15-18 years old. All couples had been sexually active at least 2 months prior to the interview. The majority of couples had discussed birth control on at least 1 occasion, but discussions prior to 1st intercourse were atypical. Couples with good communication patterns were more likely to practice effective contraception. 1/4 of the respondents felt that contraception had not been adequately discussed, and these individuals were found to be most at risk to an unintended pregnancy. Couples were recruited by means of a public service announcement aired on several rock stations in the Greater Boston area. Each teenager was paid US$20 for participating in the study. The 83 couples were heterogeneous with respect to socioeconomic status, type of residence and personal ambitions. Respondents were from large cities with over 100,000 population (33.7%) as well as small towns of under 25,000 (38%). 70% of respondents had spent their childhood in 2-parent families, although only 40% resided in 2-parent households when interviewed. 51% were Catholics and 52% expected a college education. The mean age was 16.9 for girls and 18.5 for boys. The couples were interviewed separately, but simultaneously for 1-1 1/2 hours. 3 forms of data were used: 1) a topic guide to gather information about the subjects' living arrangements, family and friendship patterns; 2) an interview schedule consisting of 124 questions on the subjects' sexual activity, contraceptive knowledge and practices, and communication; 3) 52 Likert-type items designed to measure attitudes toward birth control, risk-taking, self-esteem, goal orientation, communicativeness, and couple intimacy. Results clearly indicate that conversations per se about birth control were not sufficient to cause couples to practice effective birth control e.g. the pill. Even frequency of such discussions was not a determinative factor. Rather, the quality of the interaction was more important to decision-making. The most commonly reported type of discussion focused on whether or not the girl should go on the pill. Effective communication may not lead to joint decision-making and hence to effective contraception, but may represent a means of negotiating acquiescence once a decision has been made by 1 partner. A cognitive/behavioral approach may be useful in teaching decision-making.
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