Item Details

title

UNDERSTANDING HOW EMERGING ADULTS EXPERIENCE AND MANAGE UNCERTAINTY DURING BIRTH CONTROL DECISION-MAKING

author

Busch, Mara

abstract

Navigating uncertainty is central to many health experiences and is largely a communicative process (Babrow & Kline, 2000; Brashers, 2001; Mishel, 1988). This qualitative study used Uncertainty Management Theory to aim to create a deeper understanding of how emerging adults with female-assigned reproductive systems experience and manage uncertainty. Participants (n = 15, M = 22, SD = 3.2) engaged in semi-structured interviews to discuss their experiences dealing with uncertainty when making birth control-related decisions. Results revealed uncertainty experiences surrounding birth control decision-making include: (1) struggling with uncertainty about physical discomfort, side effects, and long-term impact of birth control use; (2) navigating fear about potential interactions between birth control and current health conditions; (3) experiencing frustration about lack of information; (4) feeling upset about a lack of agency or control in their decision-making; (5) worrying about the implications of the overturn of Roe v. Wade; (6) feeling frustration about provider interactions; (7) feeling frustration due to inadequate social support, and (8) worrying about the stigma of using birth control and having sex, and one emerging theme: (1) struggling with uncertainty due to insurance coverage. Results revealed management strategies include: (1) seeking out information, (2) utilizing social support, (3) avoiding dealing with uncertainty, and (4) taking action to manage uncertainty, and one emerging theme: (1) navigating psycho-emotional responses. Findings of the study suggest real-world applications for patient-provider communication and close loved ones communication. Future research should explore this topic with other specific groups and explore management strategies in more depth to better understand how they function.

subject

birth control

decision-making

emerging adulthood

health communication

uncertainty

contributor

Canzona, Mollie Rose (advisor)

Gill, Rebecca (committee member)

Gupta, Kristina (committee member)

date

2023-06-07T08:35:46Z (accessioned)

2023-06-07T08:35:46Z (available)

2023 (issued)

degree

Communication (discipline)

identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/102115 (uri)

language

en (iso)

publisher

Wake Forest University

type

Thesis