| Abstract: | The role of interviewing in diffusing possible harmful side effects of sterilization operations was evaluated in an acute general hospital. This hospital required an interview with a chaplain before either a vasectomy or a tubal-ligation operation. Two simultaneous field experiments were conducted with 50 vasectomy couples and 50 tubal-ligation couples. Couples applying for either operation were alternately assigned to either the interview or the control group. Questionnaires were mailed to all couples 6 mo after the operation. Results are based on the responses of 67 couples who followed through with the sterilization procedure. There were no significant differences between the interview and control groups. The vasectomy couples scored significantly higher than the tubal-ligation couples on 6 of 9 measures in the questionnaire. The wives in the vasectomy group had a significantly lower level than the wives in the tubal-ligation group. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
