The impact of post-abortion distress on the interpersonal relationships of women : an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

Historical and contemporary literature on post-abortion issues draws attention to the complexity of women’s experiences in this regard. The literature observes a vast range of potential effects of abortion on the mental health of women. This study contributes to the current understanding of post-abortion issues, by exploring women’s subjective experiences of post-abortion distress and the impact on interpersonal relationships. The relational impact is further situated in the context of its importance to psychological well-being. Four women, between the ages of 23 and 45, described their lived experiences of post-abortion distress during semi-structured interviews. Each participant gave detailed accounts of the abortion event, the difficulties experienced afterwards and the perceived impact that this kind of distress had on their lives and specifically, their relationships with others. The data was subsequently analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Twelve main themes emerged from the transcripts, each of which is discussed separately as well as in relation to other pertinent literature. The critical examination of the findings presented in this study revealed divergent aspects to those found in some of the existing literature, as well as understandings comparable with previous research. The meanings that emerged from these women’s stories revealed intense cognitive, emotional and behavioural dilemmas, all of which highlight the subjective experience of post-abortion distress as a complicated and deeply personal issue, with profound effects on their relational worlds.