This article was downloaded by: [Temple University Libraries] On: 07 January 2015, At: 18:37 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK
Journal of Personality Assessment Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/hjpa20
Birth Control Practices and Conservatism Victor C. Joe , Robert N. Jones , Ann S. Noel & Barbara Roberts Published online: 10 Jun 2010.
To cite this article: Victor C. Joe , Robert N. Jones , Ann S. Noel & Barbara Roberts (1979) Birth Control Practices and Conservatism, Journal of Personality Assessment, 43:5, 536-540, DOI: 10.1207/ s15327752jpa4305_18 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4305_18
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
Journal of Personality Assessment, 1979, 43, 5
Birth Control Practices And Conservatism VICTOR C . JOE, ROBERT N. JONES, ANN S. NOEL, and BARBARA ROBERTS Idaho State University
Downloaded by [Temple University Libraries] at 18:37 07 January 2015
Abstract: Thls study examined therelationshipofconservatism toreports of contraceptive usage, reasons for nonusage of a particular birth control method, and knowledge of birth controlinformatlon. The never married high conservative subjects who were sexually exper~encedrevealed that they had (a) a lower frequency of usage as well as a lower variety of contraceptive methods; (b) endorsed the beliefs that it was morally wrong and that it was unnatural to use a given birth control method significantly more often as reasons for not using contraceptive techniques; and (c) less knowledge of birth control methods than did low conservative subjects who weresexually experienced. Results were interpreted tosupport the notion that the fear of loss of control of one's impulses and hence the basis for conservatwe attitudes are determinants of contraceptive usage.
A personality construct that appeared sure. Another expectation was that high relevant in the prediction of contracep- conservative and low conservative subtive usage is conservatism (Wilson, jects would reveal different reasons for 1973). Wilson defined the construct con- not using a particular birthcontrol methservatism as a tendency to exhibit resis- od. Because of the high conservative's tance to change, plus the tendency to tendency to show adherence to external seek and to prefer traditional and con- authority and rigid morality, one might ventional values, goals, and behaviors. expect these subjects to refrain from He also indicated that one characteristic using certain contraceptives for the reaof the conservative person is anti-hedon- son that it is morally wrong or that it is ism and restriction of sexual behavior. dangerous to the person's health and He contended that "any sexual behavior body. Finally, it was hypothesized that which is participated in purely for the high conservative subjects would have sake of pleasure is classified as undesir- less knowledge of birth control inforable, e.g., use of contraceptives, homo- mation when compared with low consersexuality, perversions, masturbation." vative subjects. The rationale for this (Wilson, 1973, p. 8). Furthermore, Wil- hypothesis came from the Joe and Kosson hypothesized that conservative atti- tyla (1975) study which suggested that tudes such as anti-hedonism and opposi- high conservative subjects incornparison tion to sexual permissiveness reflect a to low conser,vative subjects had fewer fear of uncertainty. According to this experiences w ~ t hR- and X-rated movies idea, the conservative person's support because the high conservative subjects of external authority, conventionality, were attempting to control and to lessen rigid morality, and opposition to sexual their feelings of fear and guilt. freedom is hypothesized to arise from the Method fear of loss of control of one's feelings Subjects and Procedures and desires. Subjects were 1 15 never-married Qne expectation of this study was that high conservative subjects would report female introductory psychology stua lower frequency of usage and more dents who were tested in their class seslimited variety of contraceptive methods sion. The third author appeared a halfthan low conservative subjects. Theo- hour before the end of the class and disretically, it seemed only reasonable to missed the male students. She then resuggest that a high conservative person vealed the nature of the experiment, would be less inclined to use contracep- instructed the subjects to remain anonytives since this person believes that the mous, and assured confidentiality to use of contraceptives would bring about them. Subjectscampleted a35-itemtrueundesirable sexual freedom and plea- false test assessing knowledge of contra-
Downloaded by [Temple University Libraries] at 18:37 07 January 2015
R. N. JONES, A. S. NOEL, and B. ROBE ception (e.g., A virgin woman can be fitted for a diaphragm but she should be refitted after experiencing sexual intercourse as intercourse will stretch the vagina somewhat), the female version of the Zuckerman Heterosexual Experience Scale (1973), a birth control practice scale which also instructed the subject to indicate her reasons if she had never used a contraceptive method (e.g., I believe it is morally wrong; I believe it is unnatural to use this device when engaging in sexual intercourse), an American version of the Conservatism Scale (Bahr & Chadwick, 1974)and a biographical information sheet that requested information regarding age, class, religous affiliation, and marital status. Results and Discussion Data from the Zuckerman Heterosexual Scale were used to divide subjects into a sexually experienced group (i.e., premarital coitus, n = 52) and a sexually inexperienced group (i.e., no premarital coitus, n = 63). The mean age for these two groups were 19.40 and 18.51 respectively, with a mean age of 18.96 for the total sample. Subjects in both of these groups were further divided at the median of the scores on the Conservatism Scale (i.e., inexperienced high conservatives, n = 32; inexperienced low conservatives, n = 3 1; experienced high conservatives, n = 26; experienced low conservatives, n = 26). Religious A.fliliation, Birth Control and Sexual Artivitjl Of the 115 subjects 32 reported affiliation with the Latter Day Saints (LDS) Church; 24 with the Catholic Church; 3 1 with the Protestant denominations; 18 with "other" faiths; and ten reported no religious affiliation. Twenty-seven or 84% of the members of the LDS Church reported no use of birth control techniques. In comparison, 50% of the Catholics, 52% of the Protestants, and 67% of the "other" faiths reported no use of contraceptive devices. Of the ten who reported no religious affiliation 40% used no methods of birth control. In regard to those (n = 52) who reported
coital activity, 3 of 8 Latter Day Saint subjects (38%), 0 of 12 Catholic subjects, 3 of 18 Protestant subjects (1 7%), 2 of 7 "other" religion subjects (29%), and one of 7 no religious-affiliation subjects (14%) reported no usage of contraceptive techniques. Due to the small number of subjects who reported coital activity and usage of birth control methods, it is difficult at this time to provide a clear statement about religious;preference and its association with sexual activity and contraceptive activity. There are, however, some general statements that will be made but they :shouldbeinterpreted with some caution. This study reveals that a low percentage of the LDS subjects reported coital activity (25%) and birth control usage (16%) which is consistent with the notion that the LDS faith is more authorit,arian (e.g., Churches that require total obedience either to the leadership of the Church or to the Divine; or have a literal interpretation of scripture) in comparison to many other Protestant denominations (Sales, 1972). On the other hand, there was a tendency for a high percentage of subjects with no religious affiliation to report coitalactivity (10%) and to use some contraceptive techniques (60%) which is consistent with previous studies such as the IKinsey reports which show that subjects with no religious affaliation report the highest amount of sexualactivity. Inconclusion, these findings suggest that religion generally induces guilt and behavioral restraints in matters such as sex. Fnrthermore, these findings appear to be consistent with Wilson and Lillie's (1972) contention that religion and anti-sex attitudes are highly correlated for the conservative person. Sexual!v Experieoced vs. Sexually Inexperienced Subjects The percentage of sexually experienced subjects who reported use of some form of birth control technique was 83% while the percentage for the sexually inexperienced group was 02%. Because the percentag~eof the sexually inexperienced group was so Ibw, this study did
Downloaded by [Temple University Libraries] at 18:37 07 January 2015
538
Birth Control Practices and Conservatism
not report this group's data in relation to each birth control method. In respect to the sexually experienced group, many of the subjects reported experience with more than one type of birthcontrol method. The percentages indicating usage for each method were as follows: 52% had used oral contraceptives, 02% had used intrauterine devices (IUDs), 23% had used spermicides, 0% had usedadiaphragm, 48% had used therhythmmethod, 35% had used douches, 0% had had tuba1 ligation, and 55% of the subjects reported that their partners had used a condom. In order to determine whether there were differences in reasons for nonusage, a 2 X 2 (sexually experienced versus sexually inexperienced and high vs. low conservatism) urlweighted means analysis was performed on the percentage of times that a person endorsed a particular reason for nonusage. Four of the ei ht analyses revealed significant differe ces between sexually experienced and sexually inexperienced subjects. Furthermore, twooftheeightanalyses revealed a significant difference between high and low cohservative subjects which is presbneed in the next section. No significant interactions were faund in any of the analyses performed. Sexpally inep erienced subjects endorsed the beliefthat the birth control method in q ~ e s t i o nwas morally wrong ( F F 13.04, djlc 11 lll,p
Journal of Personality Assessment Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/hjpa20
Birth Control Practices and Conservatism Victor C. Joe , Robert N. Jones , Ann S. Noel & Barbara Roberts Published online: 10 Jun 2010.
To cite this article: Victor C. Joe , Robert N. Jones , Ann S. Noel & Barbara Roberts (1979) Birth Control Practices and Conservatism, Journal of Personality Assessment, 43:5, 536-540, DOI: 10.1207/ s15327752jpa4305_18 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4305_18
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
Journal of Personality Assessment, 1979, 43, 5
Birth Control Practices And Conservatism VICTOR C . JOE, ROBERT N. JONES, ANN S. NOEL, and BARBARA ROBERTS Idaho State University
Downloaded by [Temple University Libraries] at 18:37 07 January 2015
Abstract: Thls study examined therelationshipofconservatism toreports of contraceptive usage, reasons for nonusage of a particular birth control method, and knowledge of birth controlinformatlon. The never married high conservative subjects who were sexually exper~encedrevealed that they had (a) a lower frequency of usage as well as a lower variety of contraceptive methods; (b) endorsed the beliefs that it was morally wrong and that it was unnatural to use a given birth control method significantly more often as reasons for not using contraceptive techniques; and (c) less knowledge of birth control methods than did low conservative subjects who weresexually experienced. Results were interpreted tosupport the notion that the fear of loss of control of one's impulses and hence the basis for conservatwe attitudes are determinants of contraceptive usage.
A personality construct that appeared sure. Another expectation was that high relevant in the prediction of contracep- conservative and low conservative subtive usage is conservatism (Wilson, jects would reveal different reasons for 1973). Wilson defined the construct con- not using a particular birthcontrol methservatism as a tendency to exhibit resis- od. Because of the high conservative's tance to change, plus the tendency to tendency to show adherence to external seek and to prefer traditional and con- authority and rigid morality, one might ventional values, goals, and behaviors. expect these subjects to refrain from He also indicated that one characteristic using certain contraceptives for the reaof the conservative person is anti-hedon- son that it is morally wrong or that it is ism and restriction of sexual behavior. dangerous to the person's health and He contended that "any sexual behavior body. Finally, it was hypothesized that which is participated in purely for the high conservative subjects would have sake of pleasure is classified as undesir- less knowledge of birth control inforable, e.g., use of contraceptives, homo- mation when compared with low consersexuality, perversions, masturbation." vative subjects. The rationale for this (Wilson, 1973, p. 8). Furthermore, Wil- hypothesis came from the Joe and Kosson hypothesized that conservative atti- tyla (1975) study which suggested that tudes such as anti-hedonism and opposi- high conservative subjects incornparison tion to sexual permissiveness reflect a to low conser,vative subjects had fewer fear of uncertainty. According to this experiences w ~ t hR- and X-rated movies idea, the conservative person's support because the high conservative subjects of external authority, conventionality, were attempting to control and to lessen rigid morality, and opposition to sexual their feelings of fear and guilt. freedom is hypothesized to arise from the Method fear of loss of control of one's feelings Subjects and Procedures and desires. Subjects were 1 15 never-married Qne expectation of this study was that high conservative subjects would report female introductory psychology stua lower frequency of usage and more dents who were tested in their class seslimited variety of contraceptive methods sion. The third author appeared a halfthan low conservative subjects. Theo- hour before the end of the class and disretically, it seemed only reasonable to missed the male students. She then resuggest that a high conservative person vealed the nature of the experiment, would be less inclined to use contracep- instructed the subjects to remain anonytives since this person believes that the mous, and assured confidentiality to use of contraceptives would bring about them. Subjectscampleted a35-itemtrueundesirable sexual freedom and plea- false test assessing knowledge of contra-
Downloaded by [Temple University Libraries] at 18:37 07 January 2015
R. N. JONES, A. S. NOEL, and B. ROBE ception (e.g., A virgin woman can be fitted for a diaphragm but she should be refitted after experiencing sexual intercourse as intercourse will stretch the vagina somewhat), the female version of the Zuckerman Heterosexual Experience Scale (1973), a birth control practice scale which also instructed the subject to indicate her reasons if she had never used a contraceptive method (e.g., I believe it is morally wrong; I believe it is unnatural to use this device when engaging in sexual intercourse), an American version of the Conservatism Scale (Bahr & Chadwick, 1974)and a biographical information sheet that requested information regarding age, class, religous affiliation, and marital status. Results and Discussion Data from the Zuckerman Heterosexual Scale were used to divide subjects into a sexually experienced group (i.e., premarital coitus, n = 52) and a sexually inexperienced group (i.e., no premarital coitus, n = 63). The mean age for these two groups were 19.40 and 18.51 respectively, with a mean age of 18.96 for the total sample. Subjects in both of these groups were further divided at the median of the scores on the Conservatism Scale (i.e., inexperienced high conservatives, n = 32; inexperienced low conservatives, n = 3 1; experienced high conservatives, n = 26; experienced low conservatives, n = 26). Religious A.fliliation, Birth Control and Sexual Artivitjl Of the 115 subjects 32 reported affiliation with the Latter Day Saints (LDS) Church; 24 with the Catholic Church; 3 1 with the Protestant denominations; 18 with "other" faiths; and ten reported no religious affiliation. Twenty-seven or 84% of the members of the LDS Church reported no use of birth control techniques. In comparison, 50% of the Catholics, 52% of the Protestants, and 67% of the "other" faiths reported no use of contraceptive devices. Of the ten who reported no religious affiliation 40% used no methods of birth control. In regard to those (n = 52) who reported
coital activity, 3 of 8 Latter Day Saint subjects (38%), 0 of 12 Catholic subjects, 3 of 18 Protestant subjects (1 7%), 2 of 7 "other" religion subjects (29%), and one of 7 no religious-affiliation subjects (14%) reported no usage of contraceptive techniques. Due to the small number of subjects who reported coital activity and usage of birth control methods, it is difficult at this time to provide a clear statement about religious;preference and its association with sexual activity and contraceptive activity. There are, however, some general statements that will be made but they :shouldbeinterpreted with some caution. This study reveals that a low percentage of the LDS subjects reported coital activity (25%) and birth control usage (16%) which is consistent with the notion that the LDS faith is more authorit,arian (e.g., Churches that require total obedience either to the leadership of the Church or to the Divine; or have a literal interpretation of scripture) in comparison to many other Protestant denominations (Sales, 1972). On the other hand, there was a tendency for a high percentage of subjects with no religious affiliation to report coitalactivity (10%) and to use some contraceptive techniques (60%) which is consistent with previous studies such as the IKinsey reports which show that subjects with no religious affaliation report the highest amount of sexualactivity. Inconclusion, these findings suggest that religion generally induces guilt and behavioral restraints in matters such as sex. Fnrthermore, these findings appear to be consistent with Wilson and Lillie's (1972) contention that religion and anti-sex attitudes are highly correlated for the conservative person. Sexual!v Experieoced vs. Sexually Inexperienced Subjects The percentage of sexually experienced subjects who reported use of some form of birth control technique was 83% while the percentage for the sexually inexperienced group was 02%. Because the percentag~eof the sexually inexperienced group was so Ibw, this study did
Downloaded by [Temple University Libraries] at 18:37 07 January 2015
538
Birth Control Practices and Conservatism
not report this group's data in relation to each birth control method. In respect to the sexually experienced group, many of the subjects reported experience with more than one type of birthcontrol method. The percentages indicating usage for each method were as follows: 52% had used oral contraceptives, 02% had used intrauterine devices (IUDs), 23% had used spermicides, 0% had usedadiaphragm, 48% had used therhythmmethod, 35% had used douches, 0% had had tuba1 ligation, and 55% of the subjects reported that their partners had used a condom. In order to determine whether there were differences in reasons for nonusage, a 2 X 2 (sexually experienced versus sexually inexperienced and high vs. low conservatism) urlweighted means analysis was performed on the percentage of times that a person endorsed a particular reason for nonusage. Four of the ei ht analyses revealed significant differe ces between sexually experienced and sexually inexperienced subjects. Furthermore, twooftheeightanalyses revealed a significant difference between high and low cohservative subjects which is presbneed in the next section. No significant interactions were faund in any of the analyses performed. Sexpally inep erienced subjects endorsed the beliefthat the birth control method in q ~ e s t i o nwas morally wrong ( F F 13.04, djlc 11 lll,p
