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. 2024 Jul;30(9):2075-2095.
doi: 10.1177/10778012231153372. Epub 2023 Feb 9.

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

Jessica L Zemlak  1   2 , Lea Marineau  2 , Tiara C Willie  3 , Helena Addison  4 , Gabrielle Edwards  2 , Trace Kershaw  5 , Kamila A Alexander  2   6
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Contraceptive Use Among Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence and Reproductive Coercion: The Moderating Role of PTSD and Depression

Jessica L Zemlak et al. Violence Against Women. 2024 Jul.

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.

Keywords: contraception; intimate partner violence; reproductive coercion.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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