From a Mother's Point of View: Findings from Qualitative Research on Contraception for Adolescents

Hormonal contraceptive methods, including long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), are safe and effective for adolescents. Nevertheless, use of hormonal contraception and LARC among adolescents—those at highest risk for unintended pregnancy—is low in the U.S. when compared to worldwide use. Little is known about what parents think about contraceptive use for teens, and whether parental knowledge and attitudes may influence teens' contraceptive decisions.

The purpose of the study was to understand what mothers of adolescent girls know, think, and feel about the use of contraception by adolescents. Focus groups were conducted with 18 mothers in New York City. All participants had adolescent daughters attending public high school. Mothers were largely African-American or Latina and from low-income households.

Most mothers reported having at least one conversation with their daughters about contraception. Mothers' attitudes toward birth control methods were influenced by their own experiences; some reported negative experiences with the side effects of hormonal birth control and are therefore wary of all hormonal methods. When given information about IUDs and Implanon, mothers of older girls were receptive to LARC for their daughters, seeing them as hassle-free and effective methods. Mothers of younger adolescents viewed LARC as unnecessarily invasive and worried about their use by girls whose bodies are still developing. Mothers favored condoms over any other method, especially for STI prevention.

Education is needed to increase awareness of the full range of contraceptive options for adolescents. Mothers can influence their daughters' contraceptive decisions and need updated, accurate information, especially on newer methods.