Abstract
Experiences of partner reproductive control (RC), including pregnancy coercion and birth control sabotage, may adversely affect women’s sexual health. Previously, RC has been identified as a correlate of intimate partner violence (IPV) among ethnically diverse women sampled from urban health clinics or shelters. It is unclear whether RC is experienced more generally by young women in emerging adulthood and, if so, whether RC is associated with women’s reproductive or sexual health, intimate partner violence, or both. In the present study, sexually active undergraduate women (N = 139, 82% White) provided self-report data on past experiences of RC, intimate partner violence, and sexual health outcomes. About 30% reported experiencing RC from a past partner. Most commonly, RC involved birth control sabotage (e.g., taking off a condom during sex) within an adolescent dating relationship. Rates of pregnancy coercion were low and tended to co-occur with birth control sabotage. The rate of contraceptive adherence during last vaginal sex was significantly reduced among women who reported past RC. Furthermore, past RC was negatively associated with contraceptive and sexual self-efficacy and attitudes about condoms but positively associated with past experiences of partner violence. Additional research on the sociocultural and relational contexts of RC is needed.
