Women’s Lived Experiences of Reproductive Coercion and Abuse

• DOI: 10.1007/s10896-023-00655-y
• Publication Date: 2023-10-06T03:27:18Z
• Authors: Molly Wellington; Kelsey Hegarty; Laura Tarzia
• Keywords: Coercion (linguistics); Blame; Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis; Abusive relationship; Sexual coercion; Legal psychology

Abstract Purpose Reproductive coercion and abuse (RCA) refers to the use of physical, psychological or sexual violence coercive behaviours control a woman’s reproductive choices. Perpetrators various forms RCA such as controlling outcome pregnancy, contraceptive sabotage pregnancy coercion. Current research has focused primarily on quantitative data health interventions, yet there is limited qualitative overall experience RCA. To address this gap, study aimed investigate question: “What are women’s lived experiences RCA?”. Methods Twenty women who had experienced were recruited participate in in-depth interviews. Data analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Results Three themes developed that describe RCA: I didn’t have way out, where described how their partners threatened them both with direct indirectly through manipulation; still feel guilty which centered around overwhelming feelings guilt self blame don’t worthy, outlined eroded self-concept, particularly relation motherhood. Conclusions Our findings foreground profound impacts mental health, identity wellbeing can linger for many years after experience. It vital practitioners working consider these respond effectively.