According to research on stress and health behaviors, less-effective forms of birth control are most likely to be used by which group of women?

• A. Women with strong social support networks
• B. Women experiencing high levels of chronic stress
• C. Women with high socioeconomic status
• D. Women who regularly practice mindfulness meditation

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the relationship between stress and health behaviors. Research in psychology shows that chronic stress can negatively impact decision-making and self-regulation, which are crucial for consistent and effective use of health behaviors such as birth control.
2. Step 2: Consider how social support networks influence health behaviors. Strong social support often provides emotional resources and practical help, which can improve adherence to effective health practices, including the use of reliable birth control methods.
3. Step 3: Analyze the role of socioeconomic status (SES). Higher SES is generally associated with better access to healthcare resources and education, which tends to promote the use of more effective birth control methods.
4. Step 4: Reflect on mindfulness meditation practice. Regular mindfulness practice is linked to better stress management and improved self-regulation, which can support more consistent and effective health behaviors.
5. Step 5: Synthesize these points to identify the group most likely to use less-effective birth control methods. Women experiencing high levels of chronic stress are more prone to impaired decision-making and inconsistent health behaviors, making them the group most likely to use less-effective forms of birth control.