Women and men’s psychological adjustment after abortion: a six months prospective pilot study

Abstract

Background: The psychological impact of abortion is a controversial issue. While some studies indicate that women who had elective abortions present lower psychological distress when compared with those who had spontaneous or therapeutic abortions, other studies found abortion to be associated with significant psychological distress. Objectives: To assess psychological adjustment (emotional disorder, trauma symptoms and couple relationship) one and six months after abortion, and gender differences regarding psychological adjustment, and to assess the moderation role of couple relationship in the effect of the etiology of abortion on emotional disorder and trauma symptoms. Methods: Women (n=50) with different etiologies of abortion agreed to participate, as well as 15 partners (N=65). Assessments took place one and six months after abortion. Measures included the Brief Symptoms Inventory, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised and the Relationship Questionnaire. Results: A decrease in emotional disorder for all etiologies of abortion and an increase in perceived quality of couple relationship in therapeutic abortion were observed over time. Couple relationship moderates the effect of the etiology of abortion on trauma symptoms one month after abortion. Conclusion: Psychological adjustment after abortion seems not to be exclusively related to its etiology, being influenced by other factors such as couple relationship.

Assessment of depression, anxiety, and social support in the context of therapeutic abortion

“…Canario et al 16 investigated the social support provided by women's partners after therapeutic abortion and found that their social support in the sixth month postabortion was higher than their social support in the first month postabortion. 16 The results of the present study are similar to those in the literature. In the present study, while the correlation between significant other support and anxiety scores was significant, the correlation between significant other support and depression scores was not significant.…”

“…Anxiety and depression are among the psychological problems experienced by women after elective abortion and are the most common symptoms. The importance of activating the coping mechanisms of women during the abortion period and of reducing their depression and anxiety is emphasized in two studies …”

“…The importance of activating the coping mechanisms of women during the abortion period and of reducing their depression and anxiety is emphasized in two studies. 15,16 Previous studies have revealed that abortion causes psychological problems but that they can be ignored more than physical problems, and other studies have included women's experiences as a result of elective abortion. Because of the anxiety and depression experienced by women undergoing therapeutic abortion, the social support level of women and the lack of adequate studies about the nursing care practices required for women undergoing therapeutic abortion, this study was conducted.…”

Psychosocial adjustment after induced abortion and its explanatory factors among adolescent and adult women

“…With respect to relational factors, a consensus exists regarding the explanatory role of the lack of perceived social support from the mother (Cameron, 2010) in the psychosocial maladjustment, but not the lack of social support from the male partner (Canário et al, 2011;Guedes, 2008; National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, 2011).…”

“…In fact, research in the Portuguese sociocultural context was long constrained by the legal position on abortion (e.g., Cosme & Leal, 1998;Ourô & Leal, 1998). Since its legalisation, interest in this reproductive experience has increased (e.g., Brandão, 2014;Canário, Figueiredo, & Ricou, 2011;Fernandes, 2014;Guedes, Gameiro, & Canavarro, 2010). However, the most recent studies are institutionally restricted and descriptive, which do not afford a comprehensive view of this practice.…”