Short-term grief after an elective abortion.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the short-term grief response after elective abortion.


METHODS
Descriptive, comparative study.


METHODS
Instruments were administered in a women's health clinic.


METHODS
Ninety-three women, 45 who had a history of elective abortion within the past 1 to 14 months and 48 who had never had an abortion. Inclusion criteria included no perinatal losses within the past 5 years; no documented psychiatric history; and ability to read, write, and comprehend English.


METHODS
Nature and intensity of short-term grief.


RESULTS
Women with a history of elective abortion experienced grief in terms of loss of control, death anxiety, and dependency. Although there were no statistically significant differences in the intensity of grief in women who had a history of elective abortion and the comparison group, there was an overall trend toward higher grief intensities in the abortion group. Presence of living children, perceived pressure to have the abortion, and the number of abortions appear to affect the intensity of the short-term grief response.


CONCLUSIONS
Elective abortion has the potential for eliciting a short-term grief response. Research is needed to identify which women are at greatest risk. This grief response should be acknowledged and appropriate interventions undertaken.
Williams
G B
GB
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Nursing, 78229-7951, USA. williamsg@uthscsa.edu
D000029:Abortion, Legal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D009042:Motivation; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors