Self-blame, self-efficacy, and adjustment to abortion.
The causal impact of attributions and coping self-efficacy on adjustment to abortion was examined. Two hundred and eighty-three women were randomly assigned prior to their abortion to 1 of 3 counseling interventions: 1 designed to alter attributions for unwanted pregnancy (ATT-INT), 1 designed to raise coping expectations (EXP-INT), or a control (standard counseling) group. Depression, mood, anticipated consequences, and physical complaints were assessed postabortion. Women in the ATT-INT or EXP-INT group were better adjusted immediately postabortion than women in the control group. The EXP-INT group was also less depressed than the ATT-INT group. Three individual difference factors were also related to better adjustment: high coping self-efficacy, low self-character blame, and low other-blame. Self-efficacy also predicted adjustment 3 weeks postabortion. Implications for theories of adjustment to major life events, therapeutic interventions to assist coping with such events, and public policy on abortion are discussed.
Mueller
P
P
Department of Veterans Affairs, Readjustment Counseling Service, Salem, Oregon.
Major
B
B
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006167:Guilt; D006801:Humans; D010556:Personality Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012649:Self Concept; D012718:Set, Psychology