Reproductive Coercion: A Gaming Intervention for Adolescent Females

Abstract

Many might initially think of RC as synonymous with rape or sexual abuse, however, it is a much broader concept and needs to be a topic of discussion with all adolescents. RC is a form of relationship abuse that can increase the risk of unintended pregnancies. More specifically, RC is related to behavior that interferes with contraception use and pregnancy coercion. Examples of RC include hiding, withholding, or destroying a partner’s oral contraceptives; breaking or poking a hole in a condom or removing a condom during sex in an attempt to promote pregnancy; not withdrawing when that was agreed upon beforehand; and removing vaginal rings, contraceptive patches, or intrauterine devices (IUDs). Furthermore, RC can contribute to health disparities including high unintended pregnancy rates and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Being able to understand and address RC is essential to equip adolescents with the resources needed to protect their reproductive rights. This paper aims to provide an overview of RC focusing on adolescent females and the best method of providing pregnancy prevention education through increased knowledge and understanding of RC with created modules that will be used in the spring to create a gaming intervention.