Date of Graduation
5-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Biological Sciences
Advisor/Mentor
Makhanova, Anastasia
Committee Member/Reader
Walker, Kate
Committee Member/Second Reader
Lessner, Faith
Committee Member/Third Reader
Jones, Linda
Abstract
Hormonal contraceptives are widely used due to their efficiency in preventing pregnancy. Although women are often informed of the physical effects of hormonal contraceptives, there is little emphasis on mental effects, such as increased rates of depression and changes in social perception. The current study examined perceptions of social stress among women before beginning hormonal contraceptives, and two months after using hormonal contraceptives. I hypothesized that women would experience increased social stress after beginning hormonal contraceptives, compared to a control group of women who were also assessed twice. Results did not support this hypothesis; there was no difference in interpersonal stress scores between Time 1 and Time 2 in either group of women. Notably, the sample size was very small and further research is needed to examine the mental effects of hormonal contraceptives to help women become better informed about their reproductive decisions.
Keywords
Contraception, hormonal contraception, pregnancy prevention, mental health, depression, social perception
Citation
Jones, A. (2022). The Effects of Hormonal Contraceptive Use on Perceptions of Social Stress in Women. Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/biscuht/66
Included in
Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Women's Health Commons, Women's Studies Commons