Psychodynamic Approaches & Reproductive Choices: A Case Study

This case study examines the influence of psychodynamic approaches on reproductive choices, using the scenario of Joanne and Arthur to illustrate how modern reproductive health technologies shape decision-making and relationships. It analyzes how unconscious motives, personal experiences, and external factors impact sexual health choices. The study also emphasizes the importance of ethical standards and professional behavior in healthcare, particularly in providing informed consent and respecting patient autonomy. The paper concludes that psychodynamic approaches and evolving reproductive technologies significantly affect sexual health decisions, underscoring the necessity of ethical application of these principles. Desklib offers a platform for students to access similar case studies and solved assignments for enhanced learning.

Running Head: PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACHES IN REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES
Psychodynamic Approaches in Reproductive Choices
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Psychodynamic Approaches in Reproductive Choices
Introduction
Kelly (2015) observes that in last one decade, there has been a lot of innovations in the
field of reproductive health technologies. There is a growing interest on how these inventions impact
the population sexual health as well as how they influence individual decision making on sexual health..
With a wide range of reproductive health technologies, Lewin et al (2017) observe that the
population is faced with a delicate yet compulsory duty of making reproductive decisions that
best suit their sexual needs. Basing on the case study of Joanne and Arthur, this paper will
conduct a pathological analysis on how the psychodynamic theories and associated approaches
affect the choices individuals make in their day to day life with regard to sexual health and the
existing technologies. Further, the paper looks at the need to observe professional standards and
ethical behavior in administering sexual health services.
Sexuality in Psychodynamic Approach
The psychodynamic methodology involve all the theories in intellectual science that
explain the operation of human brain. Sigmund Freud proposed several theories under
psychodynamic approach that influence human logic in contemporary aspects of life, sexuality
among them. One such assertion is that human feelings and behavior are strongly impacted by
unconscious motives. Lewin et al (2016) explain that the unconscious mind is made up of
influential forces whose reaction determine individual’s sexual behavior, feelings as well as
judgments. For example, Sexual sensation is an individual’s mental experience that only he can
tell its scale. This is observed when Arthur explains his dissatisfaction with continued use of
male condoms.
Sexual satisfaction is an outcome of both physical and psychological interaction between
two intimate partners. Although the physical sexual conduct between Arthur and his partner

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Psychodynamic Approaches in Reproductive Choices
seemed to bring forth some measure of mental satisfaction, this did not satisfactorily meet the
expectations of Arthur. The cause as stated by Arthur was use of male condoms that ostensibly
limited the physical contact and thus the feelings and since the feelings are directly wired with
the mind which also plays a major role during sex, the mind was less involved and thus less
functioned leading to its failure to coordinate the much needed proper erection.
How Psychodynamic Approaches impact Reproductive Choices
Sexual decisions are also influenced by a wide number of internal and external factors
such as individual experience, health, and current reproductive technologies. Despite the fact that
Sigmund Freud's original hypothesis was basically concerned about the "inner world" of the
brain, psychodynamic speculations have advanced to incorporate a progressively increasing
number of physical conditions that influence human reasoning and subsequent decision making
(Wynn & Foster 2017). Arthur’s experience with male condoms was unpleasant as it did not meet
his expected sexual sensations, forcing him to find an option that resonates well with his sexual
expectations and experience. Psychodynamic hypotheses also ask how relationships shape
individuals' decision making based on prevailing circumstances. Both Jeanne and Arthur found
the use of female condoms more acceptable than any other birth control technology they had
used. While medical history of Joanne deter her from using hormone-based contraceptive
technologies such as pills , Arthur had difficulties using male condoms but both find themselves
on a common solution that meets each of their needs.
Psychodynamic hypotheses additionally ask how the outside world influences
connections (Lamont et al., 2017). Before choosing to engage in a more intimate intercourse, the
partners’ sexual history had to be made open and each individual head to be tested. The results,
of course, had an enormous impact on how they related thereafter. For instance, we see them

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Psychodynamic Approaches in Reproductive Choices
ready to try out any solution that leaves the other partner safe and contended. The education by
the nurse becomes very useful in helping the couple come up with the final decision.
Ethical Standards and Professional Behavior
Medical care givers continue to face multifaceted concerns in their training. Professional
codes of ethics and practice are a major guidelines for nurturing the same number of varied
professions. Medical professional ought to be conscious of the moral challenges in their line of
duty and do their best to satisfy their ethical obligations (Wynn & Foster 2017). It likewise
underlines the significance of educated assent, and addresses fundamental moral issues in
ordinary practice, for example, from the case study, the medical practitioner did not only educate
the couple with various method of birth control but allowed them to make a choice and went
ahead to give the female pouches for trial. As it turned out, the later became the preferred choice.
This is because the patients were subjected to full information that allowed them to make their
own informed choices.
Conclusion
This paper looked into the influence of psychodynamic approaches towards sexuality. By
looking at the case study of Joanne and Arthur, this work explored how modern reproductive
health technologies determine decision making and consequently shape relationships among
individual couples. It wound up by looking at professional ethics and code of practice with
reference to how the medical practitioner handles the couple’s situation. The author contents that
indeed psychodynamic approaches and the ever-changing reproductive health technologies do
play a significant role in sexual health decision making. However, the need for professional and
ethical approach in application of these principles cannot be over emphasized.

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Psychodynamic Approaches in Reproductive Choices
References
Eldredge, L. K. B., Markham, C. M., Ruiter, R. A., Kok, G., Fernandez, M. E., & Parcel, G. S.
(2016). Planning health promotion programs: an intervention mapping approach. John
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Kelly, G. F. (2015). Sexuality today (11th Ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Pages 281–313.
Lewin, S., Glenton, C., Munthe-Kaas, H., Carlsen, B., Colvin, C. J., Gülmezoglu, M., &
Rashidian, A. (2015). Using qualitative evidence in decision making for health and social
interventions: an approach to assess confidence in findings from qualitative evidence
syntheses (GRADE-CERQual). PLoS Medicine, 12(10), e1001895.
Lamont, J., Bajzak, K., Bouchard, C., Burnett, M., Byers, S., Cohen, T., ... & Senikas, V. (2017).
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Wynn, L. L., & Foster, A. M. (2017). Abortion pills, test tube babies, and sex toys: Emerging
sexual and reproductive technologies in the Middle East and North Africa. Vanderbilt
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