2002 Science & Research Forum

Biosketch:

Richard J. Fehring, RN, DNSc, is Professor at Marquette University and Director of the Marquette University College of Nursing Institute for Natural Family Planning. He is a current member of the National Advisory Board to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops for NFP and editor of "Current Medical Research in NFP," a publication of the NCCB. His research interests include clinical applications of new technology and marital dynamics in the use of NFP. Co-authors: Lisa Hanson, DNSc, CNM, Assistant Professor Marquette University and Leona VandeVusse, PhD, CNM, Assistant Professor Marquette University.

Presentation Abstract:

Marital Dynamics of Practicing Natural Family Planning

Purpose/Aim. Over 30 years ago one of the first studies to investigate the psychological effects of practicing natural family planning (NFP) reported that 48% of the subjects felt that periodic abstinence was harmful to their marriage. The purpose of this current study was to replicate, compare and extend that study with married couples using modern methods of NFP, i.e., methods that purport to have fewer days of periodic abstinence. The aim of this study was to better understand the effects of NFP on the marital relationship.

Methods. A marital dynamics questionnaire was mailed to 1,400 randomly selected couples from two National NFP organizations and two Midwest NFP service centers. A follow-up reminder post card was sent 2 weeks later. The husband and wife were each asked to complete a questionnaire that contained 34 fixed choice questions that addressed confidence, spontaneity, coping with abstinence, satisfaction of use and other questions related to marital dynamics.

Respondents. By July 2001, 334 (23.8%) couples or 668 individuals responded. The average age of the wife was 39 and the husband 41years old. The couples on average were married 15 years, used NFP for 11 yrs and had approximately 3 children. The majority were Roman Catholic (90%) and Caucasian (85%). Seventy five percent of the couples were currently using (and 25% had used in the past) either the Billings Ovulation Method or the Creighton Model System of NFP.

Results. In comparison with the couples from an early study that used the basal body temperature method of NFP, the couples in this study had (on a percent basis) less fear of unplanned pregnancy, more felt spontaneity, and less difficulty with abstinence. Only 8% of the husbands and 3% of the wives felt that abstinence was harmful to their marriage. Over 85% of the husbands and wives were satisfied with NFP and greater than 50% of the couples felt that NFP contributed to self-control, fertility awareness, sexual pleasure and spiritual well-being.

Conclusion. Although a minority of the couples felt that NFP was a challenge, the majority expressed that NFP aided dynamics that would contribute to stronger marriages. Future studies on the psychological aspects of family planning methods need to include items that address dynamics that integrate human sexuality with the whole person and that foster positive marital dynamics.

Commentary:

Marital Dynamics of Practicing Natural Family Planning

The advantages of learning and practicing natural family planning are more than can summarized by the concepts of "use effectiveness" and "1 year continuation rate". Anecdotally, practitioners and physicians have known for years that divorce is extremely rare in couples that use natural family planning. This study attempts to quantify some of the psychological and behavioral reasons for this. Most of the responders were middle age and had been married for awhile; it would have been interesting to have analyzed couples that were younger and/or in the first 5 years of their marriage. We are still waiting for a study (retrospective or prospective) that looks at the incidence of divorce in couples that learn and practice natural family planning.