bi womens negotiation of contraception - call for participants
i picked up a flyer recruiting participants for research into bisexual womens negotiation of contraception. the student dropped by the london bi coffee meet to distribute the info, and came across well... and has since done so by email. conversation there has clarified that their use of 'contraception' includes both protecting against pregnancy and stis.
some of yous (and/or some of yours) might be interested to participate...
HI THERE!!!
ARE YOU A BISEXUAL WOMAN?
Then read on!
Hi, my name is Riva and I’m a psychology student at London Metropolitan University. For my final year project, I’m exploring bisexual women’s experiences of the negotiation of contraception with their sexual partners.
Would you be interested in participating in this project?
Your participation would involve taking part in a private interview with me, at a place and time that suits you. During the interview, you will talk about your experiences, thoughts and opinions regarding the negotiation of contraception. Everything we talk about in the interview will be kept strictly confidential.
How will you benefit from participating in this study?
In my research on contraception negotiation, I have found that the focus is mainly on heterosexual and homosexual experience, but with little exploration done with bisexual experience. I feel that bisexual women should be better represented in this area because they may have needs or issues that are different to heterosexual and lesbian women. Thus, it is beneficial to bisexual women to be represented in research because it will provide more useful information on how to meet their needs.
By participating in this study…
You’ll contribute to an original piece of research that pays special, focused attention to the perspectives and experiences of bisexual women.
You’ll help to gather information that could be used towards protecting and promoting the physical, sexual and emotional wellbeing of bisexual women.
You’ll be given the chance to share your opinions, thoughts, concerns and experiences with somebody who will listen without judging you.
You’ll be doing good by helping a student complete her degree! yay good karma!
If you are interested in participating, please contact me on the phone number and/or email address below. And if you know anyone who might be interested in participating, do please pass on the information!
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this flyer. Have a lovely day!
Name: Riva Tel: 0772 949 0544 Email: rivajanedrew@hotmail.com
and a bit of background that informs the research that they sent me:
Contraception usage is an important behaviour because it helps to reduce unplanned pregnancy and, with certain barrier methods (such as the condom), reduces the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Thus, not only is contraception usage important in managing public health and population growth, it is also contributory in restoring women’s power and autonomy over their bodies and reproductive/sexual health because it gives them more control and choice over when they get pregnant and, in some cases, allows them to covertly protect themselves against certain STIs (MacPhail et al, 2009).
There are certain factors which may inhibit women’s negotiation and use of contraception, which include societal expectations (such as gender roles and patriarchal hierarchies), available information on contraception (different methods available, how to use them, etc.), the nature and circumstances of the sexual encounter, individual women’s levels of assertiveness and confidence in negotiation, and the personality of the sexual partner (Ekstrand et al, 2009; MacPhail et al, 2009; Harden and Ogden, 1999; Beckman et al, 2006; De Visser & Smith, 2001).
Qualitative studies include those that explore factors that encourage contraception use in women (Free, Ogden & Lee, 2005); how South African women navigate and negotiate contraception usage with their male partners and how they feel about the distribution/promotion of different forms of contraception (MacPhail et al, 2009) and cultural norms and expectations in Sweden on contraception responsibility as interpreted by young Swedish women (Ekstrand et al, 2009). Research carried out by Holland et al (1992) is also of particular interest, as it explores in depth the negotiation process as experienced by women.
Quantitative research has included investigation into condom usage in British teenagers (Harden and Ogden, 1999); how factors such as relationship stability, control & decision-making (within the relationship), relationship communication, self-efficacy for condom-use negotiation, partner’s motivation to avoid pregnancy, partner satisfaction, importance of partner’s views and covert use of contraception influence contraception usage in Northwestern American women, with particular focus paid to diaphragm barrier methods (Beckman et al, 2006); and event-specific factors (during sexual activity), individual characteristics of participants and general issues (i.e. attitudes
towards condoms, subjective norms, self-efficacy, concerns about unplanned pregnancy, HIV/STI infection) that effect condom usage in Australian students of both sexes (De Visser & Smith, 2001).
Although the studies I have looked at have touched on a variety of issues that pertain to the role of women in contraception usage, I feel that women’s experience and feelings surrounding the negotiation of contraception with their partners could be explored further, but in the context of bisexual relationships.
The objective of this study, therefore, is to explore how bisexual women experience and navigate the negotiation process with male and female partners. With this study, I hope to contribute to the literature on issues pertaining to female bisexual health, such as what factors influence bisexual women’s confidence, safety and autonomy in contraception usage, how women in same-sex relationships negotiate the need for protection against STIs in light of a lack of unplanned pregnancy risk and how bisexual women feel about the available information on sexual health.
References:
Beckman, Linda J.; Harvey, S. Marie; Thorburn, Sheryl; Maher, Julie E.; Burns, K. L. Women’s Acceptance of the Diaphragm: The Role of Relationship Factors. The Journal of Sex Research, 2006, 43(4). Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.
De Visser, R. O.; Smith, A. M. A. Inconsistent users of condoms: a challenge to traditional models of health behaviour. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 2001, 6(1). Carfax Publishing Taylor & Francis Group.
Ekstrand, Maria; Tyden, Tanja; Darj, Elisabeth; Larsson, Margareta. An Illusion of Power: Qualitative Perspectives On Abortion Decision-Making Among Teenage Women In Sweden. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2009, 41(3). Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Free, Caroline; Ogden, Jane; Lee, Ray. Young women’s contraception use as a contextual and dynamic behaviour: A qualitative study. Psychology and Health, 2005, 20( 5). Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
Harden, Angela; Ogden, Jane. Condom use and contraception non-use amongst 16-19 year olds: a within subjects comparison. Psychology and Health, 1999, 14. Harwood Academic Publishers.
Holland, J.; Ramazanoglu, C.; Scotta, S.; Thompson, R. (1992). Pressure resistance, empowerment: Young women and the negotiation of condom use. Aggleton, P.; Davis, P.; Hart, G. (eds). AIDS: rights, risks and reason. London, The Falmer Press.
MacPhail, Catherine; Terris-Prestholt, Fern; Kumaranayake, Lilani; Ngoako, Prudence; Watts, Charlotte; Rees, Helen. Managing men: women’s dilemmas about overt and covert use of barrier methods for HIV prevention. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 2009, 11(5) Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
some of yous (and/or some of yours) might be interested to participate...
HI THERE!!!
ARE YOU A BISEXUAL WOMAN?
Then read on!
Hi, my name is Riva and I’m a psychology student at London Metropolitan University. For my final year project, I’m exploring bisexual women’s experiences of the negotiation of contraception with their sexual partners.
Would you be interested in participating in this project?
Your participation would involve taking part in a private interview with me, at a place and time that suits you. During the interview, you will talk about your experiences, thoughts and opinions regarding the negotiation of contraception. Everything we talk about in the interview will be kept strictly confidential.
How will you benefit from participating in this study?
In my research on contraception negotiation, I have found that the focus is mainly on heterosexual and homosexual experience, but with little exploration done with bisexual experience. I feel that bisexual women should be better represented in this area because they may have needs or issues that are different to heterosexual and lesbian women. Thus, it is beneficial to bisexual women to be represented in research because it will provide more useful information on how to meet their needs.
By participating in this study…
You’ll contribute to an original piece of research that pays special, focused attention to the perspectives and experiences of bisexual women.
You’ll help to gather information that could be used towards protecting and promoting the physical, sexual and emotional wellbeing of bisexual women.
You’ll be given the chance to share your opinions, thoughts, concerns and experiences with somebody who will listen without judging you.
You’ll be doing good by helping a student complete her degree! yay good karma!
If you are interested in participating, please contact me on the phone number and/or email address below. And if you know anyone who might be interested in participating, do please pass on the information!
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this flyer. Have a lovely day!
Name: Riva Tel: 0772 949 0544 Email: rivajanedrew@hotmail.com
and a bit of background that informs the research that they sent me:
Contraception usage is an important behaviour because it helps to reduce unplanned pregnancy and, with certain barrier methods (such as the condom), reduces the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Thus, not only is contraception usage important in managing public health and population growth, it is also contributory in restoring women’s power and autonomy over their bodies and reproductive/sexual health because it gives them more control and choice over when they get pregnant and, in some cases, allows them to covertly protect themselves against certain STIs (MacPhail et al, 2009).
There are certain factors which may inhibit women’s negotiation and use of contraception, which include societal expectations (such as gender roles and patriarchal hierarchies), available information on contraception (different methods available, how to use them, etc.), the nature and circumstances of the sexual encounter, individual women’s levels of assertiveness and confidence in negotiation, and the personality of the sexual partner (Ekstrand et al, 2009; MacPhail et al, 2009; Harden and Ogden, 1999; Beckman et al, 2006; De Visser & Smith, 2001).
Qualitative studies include those that explore factors that encourage contraception use in women (Free, Ogden & Lee, 2005); how South African women navigate and negotiate contraception usage with their male partners and how they feel about the distribution/promotion of different forms of contraception (MacPhail et al, 2009) and cultural norms and expectations in Sweden on contraception responsibility as interpreted by young Swedish women (Ekstrand et al, 2009). Research carried out by Holland et al (1992) is also of particular interest, as it explores in depth the negotiation process as experienced by women.
Quantitative research has included investigation into condom usage in British teenagers (Harden and Ogden, 1999); how factors such as relationship stability, control & decision-making (within the relationship), relationship communication, self-efficacy for condom-use negotiation, partner’s motivation to avoid pregnancy, partner satisfaction, importance of partner’s views and covert use of contraception influence contraception usage in Northwestern American women, with particular focus paid to diaphragm barrier methods (Beckman et al, 2006); and event-specific factors (during sexual activity), individual characteristics of participants and general issues (i.e. attitudes
towards condoms, subjective norms, self-efficacy, concerns about unplanned pregnancy, HIV/STI infection) that effect condom usage in Australian students of both sexes (De Visser & Smith, 2001).
Although the studies I have looked at have touched on a variety of issues that pertain to the role of women in contraception usage, I feel that women’s experience and feelings surrounding the negotiation of contraception with their partners could be explored further, but in the context of bisexual relationships.
The objective of this study, therefore, is to explore how bisexual women experience and navigate the negotiation process with male and female partners. With this study, I hope to contribute to the literature on issues pertaining to female bisexual health, such as what factors influence bisexual women’s confidence, safety and autonomy in contraception usage, how women in same-sex relationships negotiate the need for protection against STIs in light of a lack of unplanned pregnancy risk and how bisexual women feel about the available information on sexual health.
References:
Beckman, Linda J.; Harvey, S. Marie; Thorburn, Sheryl; Maher, Julie E.; Burns, K. L. Women’s Acceptance of the Diaphragm: The Role of Relationship Factors. The Journal of Sex Research, 2006, 43(4). Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.
De Visser, R. O.; Smith, A. M. A. Inconsistent users of condoms: a challenge to traditional models of health behaviour. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 2001, 6(1). Carfax Publishing Taylor & Francis Group.
Ekstrand, Maria; Tyden, Tanja; Darj, Elisabeth; Larsson, Margareta. An Illusion of Power: Qualitative Perspectives On Abortion Decision-Making Among Teenage Women In Sweden. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2009, 41(3). Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Free, Caroline; Ogden, Jane; Lee, Ray. Young women’s contraception use as a contextual and dynamic behaviour: A qualitative study. Psychology and Health, 2005, 20( 5). Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
Harden, Angela; Ogden, Jane. Condom use and contraception non-use amongst 16-19 year olds: a within subjects comparison. Psychology and Health, 1999, 14. Harwood Academic Publishers.
Holland, J.; Ramazanoglu, C.; Scotta, S.; Thompson, R. (1992). Pressure resistance, empowerment: Young women and the negotiation of condom use. Aggleton, P.; Davis, P.; Hart, G. (eds). AIDS: rights, risks and reason. London, The Falmer Press.
MacPhail, Catherine; Terris-Prestholt, Fern; Kumaranayake, Lilani; Ngoako, Prudence; Watts, Charlotte; Rees, Helen. Managing men: women’s dilemmas about overt and covert use of barrier methods for HIV prevention. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 2009, 11(5) Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.