A test for fear of pregnancy and its relation to oral contraceptives

Abstract

A Fear of Pregnancy Test (FOPT) was developed to ascertain the relationship between this fear and the use of oral contraceptives. Fifty-four female patients, taking a multiphasic health examination, indicated the degree to which they feared the various items composing the Fear Survey Schedule III. Mostly on the basis of the mean ratings, ten fears, including “becoming pregnant”, were selected for the FOPT. These fears formed a potency hierarchy with “becoming pregnant” at an intermediate potency. The FOPT was found to have adequate reliability, and was independent of age, education, frequency of church attendance, religious affiliation, and parity. The FOPT was given to 1,325 female multiphasic patients who said that they were currently exposed to sexual intercourse, and not pregnant. In addition, 24 pre-contraceptive pill patients were given the FOPT. Women using birth control pills were not significantly less afraid of pregnancy than any of the ten other contraceptive groups. However, four of these groups—rhythm users, IUD users, surgical users, and noncontraceptors—were less fearful of pregnancy than pill users. This result suggests that differences in fear of pregnancy cannot account for the fact that pill users report less premenstrual depression than nonusers. Thus, it seems that the pharmacological properties of the drug may relieve this symptom.