Citation

Zemlak JL, Marineau L, Willie TC, Addison H, Edwards G, Kershaw T, Alexander KA. Violence Against Women 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/10778012231153372

PMID

36762382

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 (N = 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 (n = 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.

Language: en

Keywords

intimate partner violence; contraception; reproductive coercion