Emerging Adult Women’s Perceptions of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC): A Grounded Theory Investigation

Long-acting reversible contraceptive devices (LARC) have been identified as the "first-line" option (ACOG, 2009) in preventing pregnancy, but little attention has been paid to how the intended users of these devices actually experience them. In response to Grzanka and Frantell's (2017) call for increased attention to issues of reproductive justice within counseling psychology, the present study sought to understand emerging adult women's experiences with LARC. The researchers conducted six focus groups with 30 undergraduate women, with each group audio-recorded and then transcribed for analysis. Data were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach (e.g., Fassinger, 2005) and situational analysis (Clarke, 2005). A critical reproductive justice lens was applied to the data, through which a theory of conditional agency related to contraceptive choice emerged.