Self-esteem, spiritual well-being, and intimacy: a comparison among couples using NFP and oral contraceptives.
The purpose of this study was to compare the intimacy, spiritual well being (SWB), and self-esteem of couples using natural family planning (NFP) with those couples using oral contraceptives (OCs).  22 couples who were using the Creighton Model Ovulation Method of NFP for 1 year to avoid pregnancy were matched with 22 couples who were using OCs for a least a 1-year period and administered a SWB, self-esteem, and intimacy inventory.  Student t-tests were calculated to determine differences in the mean scores of the 3 inventories between the 2 groups.  The results showed that the NFP couples had statistically higher self-esteem (T=3.15, p0.01), SWB (T=4.25. p0.001), and intellectual intimacy (T=2.53, p0.05) than the OC couples.  There were no differences in emotional, social, recreational, and sexual intimacy between the groups.  Although the results provide some evidence that NFP can enhance a couple's relationship, other factors such as a sampling bias and educational levels could explain the difference.
R J
RJ
Fehring
D M
DM
Lawrence
C M
CM
Sauvage
D000569:Americas; D001519:Behavior; D003267:Contraception; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003710:Demography; D019049:Developed Countries; D005193:Family Planning Services; D006285:Health Planning; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009656:North America; D010061:Ovulation Detection; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010465:Perception; D011153:Population; D011584:Psychology; D012106:Research; D012649:Self Concept; D014481:United States
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral
Acceptor Characteristics; Acceptors; Americas; Behavior; Cervical Mucus Method; Comparative Studies; Contraception; Contraceptive Methods; Contraceptive Usage; Demographic Factors; Developed Countries; Family Planning; Family Planning Programs; Family Planning, Behavioral Methods; Husband-wife Communication; Interpersonal Relations; Literature Review; Method Acceptability; Natural Family Planning; North America; Northern America; Oral Contraceptives; Partner Communication; Perception; Population; Psychological Factors; Research Methodology; Self-perception; Studies; United States