A model of pre-sterilization ambivalence and post-sterilization regret in married couples

"We have presented a general theoretical perspective on couple decision-making and subsequent adaptation which serves as a framework for understanding the complex phenomenon commonly referred to as post-sterilization regret. We have anchored this framework by means of a series of specific hypotheses about ambivalence and post-sterilization regret among both tubal ligation and vasectomy married couples. Using our hypotheses, we constructed three models. These were tested on data gathered from 400 married couples.... The results, including unanticipated pathways and differences in specific areas of each model between sexes and method groups, not only provide a confirmation of our general theoretical perspective but also allow us to have insights and to speculate about the psychological and marital dynamics of sterilization decision-making and adaptation." Data are from a longitudinal study conducted in Santa Clara, California, in 1985.