Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dsjbd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T20:56:41.552Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Perception of Methods of Contraception: A Semantic Differential Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Poo-Kong Kee  and
Russell K. Darroch
Poo-Kong Kee
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Russell K. Darroch
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

A psychological measurement technique, the semantic differential, is used as a measure of the perceptions of contraceptive methods among 172 sexually experienced undergraduates. This technique enables the calculation of an acceptability score based on subjectively defined attributes. Factor analysis of the ratings identifies seven major dimensions, which have to do with effectiveness, discretion, pleasure, legality, permanence, harmfulness, and cost. A sex difference is found in that comfort and mood factors are more salient to females than to males.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , April 1981 , pp. 209 - 218
Copyright
Copyright © 1981, Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Caldwell, J.C., Young, C.M., Ware, H., Lavis, D.R. & Davis, A. (1973) Australia: knowledge, attitudes, and practice of family planning in Melbourne, 1971. Stud. Fam. Plann. 4, 49.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cunningham, C.E. (1970) Thai injection doctors. Soc. Sci. Med. 4, 1.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Leslie, C. (1976) Asian Medical Systems: A Comparative Study. University of California Press, Berkeley.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Osgood, C.E., May, W.H. & Miron, M.S. (1975) Cross-Cultural Universals of Affective Meaning. University of Illinois Press, Urbana.Google Scholar
Osgood, C.E., Suci, G.J. & Tannenbaum, P.H. (1957) The Measurement of Meaning. University of Illinois Press, Urbana.Google Scholar
Polgar, S. & Marshall, J.F. (1976) The search for culturally acceptable fertility regulating methods. In: Culture, Natality, and Family Planning. Edited by Marshall, J. F. & Polgar, S.. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.Google Scholar
Snider, J.G. & Osgood, C.E. (Eds) (1969) Semantic Differential Technique: A Sourcebook. Aldine, Chicago.Google Scholar
WHO (1974) Perceptions and attitudes towards fertility regulating methods and services. In: Report and Papers of The Expert Group Meeting on Social and Psychological Aspects of Fertility Behaviour. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, UN, Bangkok.Google Scholar