A Test of Luker's Theory of Contraceptive Risk-Taking

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Abstract
Kristin Luker''s theory of contraceptive risk-taking has had widespread appeal. Luker''s theory, however, has yet to be tested. A report of survey research designed to test the theory is presented. The test involved measurement of the major contraceptive determinants in Luker''s theory, including the utilities for contraceptive and pregnancy outcomes, and the subjective probabilities of pregnancy without contraception and abortion. The data were evaluated with regression and path analysis. The analyses clearly indicate that Luker''s theory is conceptually misspecified. Of the major determinants in the theory, only the subjective probability of pregnancy without contraception had a significant effect on contraceptive risk-taking. Contraceptive risk-takers and non-risk-takers did not differ on their utilities for contraception and pregnancy or on their subjective probabilities of abortion. These results cast a strong shadow of doubt on the validity of Luker''s theory.

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