Rachel L. Wright

A qualitative exploration of emergency contraception users' willingness to select the copper IUD

BACKGROUND The copper T intrauterine device (IUD) is an effective but underutilized method of emergency contraception (EC). This study investigates the factors influencing a womans decision around which method of EC to select. STUDY DESIGN In-depth interviews with 14 IUD and 14 oral EC users aged 18-30 years accessing public health clinics. RESULTS Emergency contraception users associated long-term methods of contraception with long-term sexual relationships. Women were not aware of the possibility of using the copper IUD for EC. Cost was identified as a major barrier to accessing IUDs. Perceived side effects and impact on future pregnancies further influenced the EC method a participant selected. CONCLUSIONS Women think about contraception in the context of each separate relationship and not as a long-term individual plan. Most women were unaware of the copper IUD for EC. Furthermore, there is little discussion between women and their health-care providers around EC.

Mental Health Implications in Mormon Women’s Experiences With Same-Sex Attraction: A Qualitative Study

Given research suggesting that individuals in conservative religions experience conflict between religious beliefs and feelings of same-sex sexuality, this study explores the mental health impact of Mormon women who experience same-sex sexuality. Twenty-three Mormon women participated in semi-structured individual interviews about their experiences with same-sex sexuality. Interview questions asked about participants’ experiences with same-sex sexuality and the LDS Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), how this experience affected their mental health, and what types of mental health treatment they engaged in during their process of reconciliation. Data were analyzed following phenomenological methodology. Themes included the following: experiences with mood disorders, self-worth, suicidality, treatment attempts, reparative therapy, counselor’s agenda, impact of family and community, and mental health recovery. When treating women who experience conflict, counselors should assess self-worth, suicidality, and the level of community and familial support. Referral to group counseling can support self-acceptance of same-sex sexuality through normalization. Future research should examine specific practice interventions and explore impacts of other intersecting identities.

U.S. Men’s Perceptions and Experiences of Emergency Contraceptives

Research suggests that men should be included in reproductive health decision making to help enhance positive health outcomes for their partners. Men affect the use of contraception and what method is used. Men’s decisions may be affected by different factors such as gender, education, and the nature of their sexual relationship. A qualitative study was conducted to explore males’ experiences and perceptions about emergency contraception (EC), and the meanings males assign to EC. Semistructured in-depth focus groups were held with 15 men who engage in heterosexual activity recruited from a university setting in the United States. Participants expressed egalitarian views of the contraception decision-making processes, a sense of responsibility regarding reproductive decision making, and that society has a negative stigma toward those who use EC. However, there was a lack of knowledge regarding the copper intrauterine device, which was not viewed as a method of EC. Exploring the role and needs of men in reproductive health care discussions and research is an important and growing area. Recommendations are provided for health care practitioners, policy, and future research around men and EC.

Enhancing women’s health: A call for social work research

ABSTRACT This article presents a critical synthesis of the social work empirical literature on women’s health. In light of recent policy changes that directly affect women’s health and social work, the authors conducted a literature review of recent publications (2010–2015) regarding social work and women’s health nationally. Despite frequent accounts cited in the literature, there has been no comprehensive review of issues involving women’s health and social work in the United States. The purpose of this review is to examine the current social work literature addressing women’s health at the national (U.S.) level. This research presents a summary description of the status of the social work literature dealing with women’s health, specifically 51 articles published between 2010 and 2015. Our search highlights the need for social work research to fill gaps and more fully address the needs of women across the lifespan.

“I didn’t raise a d#@k!” how parents perceive and address gendered bullying with children

ABSTRACT This is an exploratory study that uses a critical feminist approach to examine how parents perceive and respond to gendered bullying with children. Past research conceptualizes bullying from a feminist perspective and previous studies examine how parents perceive bullying. This study moves beyond earlier investigations by integrating these sites of inquiry. The author engages five fathers and eight mothers to participate in this study (n = 13). Data collection includes semi-structured individual interviews and the data analysis is based on a critical feminist approach to phenomenological inquiry. The data analysis shows how the majority of parents, in this study, do perceive and address bullying from a critical feminist perspective, in particular, according to three categories: (a) challenging binary thinking b) understanding identities/positionalities and c) perceiving/addressing gendered power relations. The results lay the foundation for practice and policy implications aimed at bullying prevention and future research to further examine social phenomenon related to gendered bullying.

Predictors of Reproductive Autonomy among a Rural University Population

Reproductive autonomy is necessary for ones overall well-being and is defined as the ability to decide and control issues of contraceptive use, pregnancy, and birth. Barriers to consistent contraceptive use persist, limiting an individuals ability to exercise reproductive autonomy. The present study investigated the prevalence of reproductive autonomy and gender beliefs among 468 university students (311 women and 157 men) in a rural setting. Participants completed surveys measuring reproductive autonomy, attitudes around gender beliefs, and demographic questions. Correlations revealed a positive association between decision making, communication, and freedom from coercion. Multiple regressions found significant predictors to achieving reproductive autonomy, including holding healthy gender beliefs, being a woman, using birth control, engaging in less religious activity, and being a non-Christian. Social work efforts should support young adults to effectively communicate about the use of contraception within relationships and to promote healthy gender beliefs. Assessment tools should include screening for coercive behaviors such as intimidation, isolation, and threats within intimate partnerships. Social work advocacy efforts should focus on decreasing the continuing barriers to both comprehensive reproductive health care and access to highly effective contraceptives. The specific reproductive health needs of rural young adult populations should also be further examined.

Navigating the Concepts of Gender and Violence With Young Children

The aims of this research were to investigate how parents explore gender and violence with children and develop a conceptual groundwork for understanding the relationship between parental attitudes and behaviors and gender-based violence. Few social work scholars have investigated how parents process gender and violence with their children. This study design was grounded in a phenomenological approach. For data collection, the authors conducted semistructured individual interviews with a sample of five fathers, eight mothers, with at least one child between age 3 and 11 years. The data analysis consisted of In-Vivo and Value coding, from which the researchers developed themes to illustrate the findings. The overarching category that emerged from the data analysis was witnessing and themes included beholding, being present, and perceiving. These themes appeared to be in alignment with mindfulness attitudes and practices and illustrated the way these parents processed gender and violence with their children. The authors developed practice, policy, and research implications from this research.