Anxiety in Japanese women after elective abortion.
OBJECTIVE
To examine women's anxiety levels after elective abortion.


METHODS
Women seeking elective abortion at six clinics in Japan were solicited to participate in a questionnaire survey.


METHODS
Sixty-six Japanese women requesting abortion participated in this survey.


METHODS
State anxiety was measured using Spielberger's State Trait Anxiety Inventory before and after abortion.


RESULTS
Multiple regression analyses using predictor variables with a significant link to postabortion anxiety level showed that among potential predictors, a conservative attitude toward abortion was the most significant predictor of postabortion anxiety after controlling for the level of preabortion anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that a woman's attitude toward abortion and reproductive rights is an important but neglected factor influencing postelective abortion anxiety. Medical and nursing professionals should, therefore, take note of a woman's attitude toward abortion as a part of her mental health care.
Kishida
Y
Y
School of Nursing, Shimane Medical University, Japan. kishida@shimane-med.ac.jp
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health