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Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Author "Almengual, Mallory, author"

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    Exploring the relationship between hormonal contraceptive methods and symptoms of depression and bulimia nervosa
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Almengual, Mallory, author; Rickard, Kathryn, advisor; Cox-York, Kimberly, committee member; Graham, Dan, committee member
    Research has been unable to determine if there is a link between hormonal contraceptive (HC) use, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and Bulimia Nervosa (BN). There is a well-documented sex discrepancy in the lifetime prevalence of both of these diagnoses such that women are disproportionately affected. Prevalence rates of MDD are similar between males and females during childhood. However, following the onset of puberty, women are inordinately affected by MDD. This difference has been observed throughout the duration of the female reproductive years. Prevalence rates of MDD between males and females return to equivalence following menopause. Females are also at a much greater risk of developing an eating disorder (ED) during their lifetime, and the age of onset typically aligns with puberty. The effects of HC use on mental health remain largely unknown. The current body of research on HC use and MDD is characterized by inconsistent, and even contradictory, findings about both the presence and direction of the such a relationship. There is a paucity of research examining HC use and BN, though changes in appetite and weight gain are two of the most commonly reported side effects of HC use. The present study aimed to explore such relationships among a sample of undergraduate women at Colorado State University. Using self-report measures, this project attempted to examine potential correlations between HC use and symptoms of MDD and BN. Data from 378 respondents was collected via survey and analyzed using Multiple Linear Regression. Participants were categorized into HC users and Nonhormonal Contraceptive (NC) users. No significant relationship was observed between HC use and MDD. Negative correlations were identified between HC use and two measures of maladaptive eating implicated in the etiology and maintenance of BN: Cognitive Restraint and Emotional Eating. These findings suggest that HC use might actually serve as a protective factor for the development of BN. Further research is needed to better understand these relationships and to better inform individuals considering HC as part of their reproductive health practices.
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    Hormonal contraception and eating pathology: a study among undergraduate women
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Almengual, Mallory, author; Rickard, Kathryn, advisor; Prince, Mark, committee member; Cox-York, Kimberly, committee member; Graham, Dan, committee member
    Objective: To investigate the relationship between hormonal contraceptive (HC) use and eating pathology, and to assess the moderating effects of cognitive restraint and other demographic features on this relationship among undergraduate women at Colorado State University. Method: A correlational study design was used to collect data from 458 female undergraduate participants through self-report assessments capturing demographic information, reproductive health history, and constructs associated with eating pathology. Specific measures included the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R18), the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3), and the Beck's Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Participants were categorized based on their HC use—especially focusing on Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC) and Short-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (SARC)—to establish the connection between the type of HC and symptoms of eating pathology. Multiple linear regression analyses identified relationships, with a consideration of potential mediating effects of cognitive restraint and demographic variables. Results: Findings revealed a significant relationship between long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) use and specific psychological outcomes, such as reduced interpersonal insecurity and increased emotional dysregulation, suggesting a multidimensional impact of HC types on psychological and behavioral patterns in this population. Although cognitive restraint was anticipated to be a moderating factor, the study did not find evidence to support a significant moderating effect on the relationship between HC use and eating pathology. Age of menstrual regularity emerged as a noteworthy covariate affecting psychological outcomes. Conclusion: The study offers important insights into the variant effects of different types of HCs on psychological health and eating behaviors among college-aged women. These findings indicate that different types of hormonal contraceptives may have unique effects on psychological outcomes and eating behaviors. The differential outcomes with LARC and SARC underscore the need for comprehensive, individualized reproductive health counseling that both addresses the potential psychological impacts of contraceptive methods and is sensitive to the evident disparities. Further research is recommended to decipher the complex interactions between HC use, cognitive restraint, and eating pathology. These findings have critical implications for refining clinical practices and reproductive health education to promote the wellbeing and bodily autonomy of menstruating individuals, and to better address the mental health needs related to contraceptive choices.