Thesis lays the groundwork for a career improving minority access
Careful study of the experiences of sexual minority women has laid the foundation for a career improving outcomes for minority groups for graduand Bryony Roberts.
Bryony is graduating this December with her Master of Health Psychology. Her thesis, titled Beyond the Realms of Pregnancy—How conversations about contraception can contribute to improving the health of sexual minority women, aimed to identify the barriers in place for sexual minority women when accessing contraception and explore how healthcare practitioners can improve health and wellbeing for this group by engaging in conversations about contraception and sexual health.
Bryony’s thesis outlined four main barriers to accessing contraception: Disclosure of identity, assumptions of heterosexuality, lack of knowledge, and disparities in healthcare services.
“Sexual minority women were not disclosing their sexual identities in healthcare settings because their experience was that if they did, contraception would not be brought up for discussion as it was assumed that they did not need it.
“There was also a lack of knowledge for both participants and healthcare providers in terms of looking at contraceptive options from perspectives other than pregnancy prevention—such as benefits for the management of menstruation and cramping.”
There was also a lack of knowledge from healthcare providers about what queer relationships look like and what is and isn’t appropriate when having discussions with sexual minority women about their sexual health.
“One participant attended their girlfriend’s cervical smear appointment and was asked if she wanted to see the smear being done—they are facing unique situations that wouldn’t necessarily happen to heterosexual couples.”
Bryony says there is a lack of research in this area, particularly when it comes to non-pregnancy related contraceptive use, and that this was a source of motivation for her in completing her degree, particularly when things got tough.
“I found it really challenging completing my thesis, but once I had completed my interviews, I felt motivated to do right by the participants who had trusted me with their experiences, and I knew I was contributing research that was needed.”
Her research concludes with recommendations for healthcare provider training around LGBTQIA+ health and the need for further research into the non-contraceptive benefit of contraception for sexual minority women.
Since completing her research Bryony has landed a graduate role in Melbourne working in the First Nations Initiative Team for the National Broadband Network.
“I wanted to work in equity and diversity and this role will see me out in the community talking with indigenous communities about their digital access needs.”
“The Master of Health Psychology degree explores a range of minority groups and the health issues they face so I feel prepared.”