Reproductive Autonomy Under Pressure: A Qualitative Exploration of Reproductive Coercion in Intimate Relationships in Canada
- 1Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
- 2Department of Sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
- 3Department of Social Work, Université du Québec en Outaouais, St-Jérôme, Canada.
Abstract
Reproductive coercion refers to behaviors that interfere with another person's reproductive trajectory, whether by sabotaging contraceptive use, exerting pressure to become pregnant, or coercion to continue or terminate a pregnancy. Despite its profound impact, the repercussions of reproductive coercion on reproductive autonomy remain poorly documented. To address this gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with women and non-binary people, which were transcribed and analyzed using a reflexive thematic approach. This article focused on 30 participants, aged 18 and over, who experienced reproductive coercion from a male intimate partner. Three overarching themes emerged from the analysis. These themes illustrated the spiral, in which control over one's reproductive health gradually erodes and becomes threatened; followed by the chain reaction, leading to an unplanned pregnancy; the irreversibility, whereby some participants experience their bodies as being placed at the service of others. A conceptual model was then developed to illustrate the progressive narrowing of reproductive autonomy. The findings further highlight the importance for health and social service providers of considering reproductive coercion within its broader structural context, including the cultural and social influences that shape it.
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BibTeX
@article{rousseau2026reproductive,
title = {{Reproductive Autonomy Under Pressure: A Qualitative Exploration of Reproductive Coercion in Intimate Relationships in Canada}},
author = {Catherine Rousseau and Sylvie Lévesque and Juliette Chevet and Carole Boulebsol},
journal = {Psychology of women quarterly},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1177/03616843261463188},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13726906},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Reproductive Autonomy Under Pressure: A Qualitative Exploration of Reproductive Coercion in Intimate Relationships in Canada
AU - Catherine Rousseau
AU - Sylvie Lévesque
AU - Juliette Chevet
AU - Carole Boulebsol
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Psychology of women quarterly
DO - 10.1177/03616843261463188
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13726906
AB - Reproductive coercion refers to behaviors that interfere with another person's reproductive trajectory, whether by sabotaging contraceptive use, exerting pressure to become pregnant, or coercion to continue or terminate a pregnancy. Despite its profound impact, the repercussions of reproductive coercion on reproductive autonomy remain poorly documented. To address this gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with women and non-binary people, which were transcribed and analyzed using a reflexive thematic approach. This article focused on 30 participants, aged 18 and over, who experienced reproductive coercion from a male intimate partner. Three overarching themes emerged from the analysis. These themes illustrated the spiral, in which control over one's reproductive health gradually erodes and becomes threatened; followed by the chain reaction, leading to an unplanned pregnancy; the irreversibility, whereby some participants experience their bodies as being placed at the service of others. A conceptual model was then developed to illustrate the progressive narrowing of reproductive autonomy. The findings further highlight the importance for health and social service providers of considering reproductive coercion within its broader structural context, including the cultural and social influences that shape it.
SN - 0361-6843
ER -