Depression and Contraception: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Amongst the numerous amount of detrimental effects regarding poor mental health in humans, there exists the negative effects of mental health and decision making processes. More specifically, there exists substantial reasoning to believe that mental health disorders such as depression, contribute to contraceptive behaviors. In order to alleviate the burden of poor mental health and risky sexual behaviors, such as neglecting contraceptive use, more research needs to be conducted on the issue in order to develop successful interventions that work towards alleviating these issues. This research team intends to conduct qualitative research that seeks to analyze the extent to which depression influences contraceptive behaviors and investigate these mechanisms by which changes in depressive contraceptive behaviors. Data collection will take place over the course of a year and will occur at three different locations; including a counseling clinic and a family planning clinic in Prince George’s County, and a family planning clinic in DC. After the subjects complete a recruitment and consent form, research staff conducted a brief screening interview with the participants, to which a 30-60 final in-depth interview will be conducted when research staff found that the potential participants met all of the criteria. This data will be used to evaluate potential links between depression/other mental disorders and contraceptive use; with hopes to advocate for further interventions for women who are disproportionately affected by mental illness’s ability to impact important decisions that can impact their health.