Prevalence and prediction of re-experiencing and avoidance after elective surgical abortion: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated short-term re-experiencing and avoidance after elective surgical abortion. In addition, it was prospectively investigated whether peritraumatic dissociation and pre-abortion dissociative tendencies and alexithymia predict re-experiencing and avoidance.


METHODS
In a prospective observational design, Dutch-speaking women presenting for first trimester elective surgical abortion completed self-report measures for dissociative tendency and alexithymia. Peritraumatic dissociation was measured immediately post-abortion. Re-experiencing and avoidance were measured 2 months post-abortion.


RESULTS
Participants reported moderately elevated levels of re-experiencing and avoidance that exceeded a clinical cut-off point for 19.4% of the participants. Peritraumatic dissociation predicted intrusion and avoidance at 2 months. In addition, avoidance was predicted by the alexithymic aspect of difficulty describing feelings.


CONCLUSIONS
Re-experiencing and avoidance after elective surgical abortion represent a significant clinical problem that is predicted by peritraumatic dissociation and alexithymia. Psychological screening and intervention might be a useful adjunct to elective abortion procedures.
van Emmerik
Arnold A P
AA
Department of Clinical, Health and Neuropsychology, Leiden University, the Netherlands. A.A.P.vanEmmerik@uva.nl
Kamphuis
Jan H
JH
Emmelkamp
Paul M G
PM
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data