Socio-Psychological Factors of Abortion in Women of Different Age Groups

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Research Questions and Hypotheses
Methods
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The main reasons that encourage a woman to make a decision to have an abortion are social factors: low standard of living and family income, lack of an apartment, and work. However, the psychological component of the issue should also be considered. Pregnancy is a model of a natural difficult life situation. Changes occurring in a pregnant woman affect somatic functioning and the system of values, relationships, and social conditions. A woman, becoming a mother, acquires a new position in the system of social relations – the status of a parent – and assumes a new social role (Magro Malosso et al., 2018). At the moment, various changes in laws are taking place in the country, which may become a threat to the realization of women’s rights. Therefore, this topic is essential to consider, as it is contradictory and complex.

Research Questions and Hypotheses

The study aims to identify psychological factors that determine the choice of women of different age groups when deciding on an artificial termination of pregnancy. The study’s hypothesis was the assumption that the socio-psychological factors of the decision to terminate a pregnancy are specific depending on the woman’s age. An additional hypothesis suggests that there is a relationship between the coping strategies of women who have decided to terminate the pregnancy, life-meaning orientations, the self-esteem of the individual, and their basic beliefs.

Purpose

The attitude to the artificial termination of pregnancy has always been different. It depended on the peculiarities of the state and social system, the economic and social conditions of life, the number and density of the country’s population, and religious beliefs (Austin, & Harper, 2018). The problem of abortion has always been relevant and was discussed not only as a medical and social problem but also as a moral, ethical, and legal one (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018). Despite numerous developments in the problem of preventing abortion, many aspects of this phenomenon have not yet been identified. It is necessary to identify psychological factors influencing a woman’s decision to have an abortion. Taking these into account, it is essential to develop recommendations for improving measures aimed at the realization of women’s rights and freedoms.

Context

The US Supreme Court has voted to overturn a decision that guarantees the right to abortion at the federal level. The corresponding ruling was made in the case of Roe v. Wade in 1973 (Apetogbor, 2022). In October 2021, a federal District Court judge in Austin, Robert Pitman, granted the request of the administration of US President Joe Biden and suspended the controversial abortion law until its legality is challenged (Weber, 2021). However, supporters of the regulatory legal act doubted that the suspension of the law applies to the right of citizens to go to court (Silberner, 2022). The law, which came into force in Texas on September 1, prohibits doctors from performing abortions as soon as they detect a fetal heartbeat, which can be seen on ultrasound after six weeks of pregnancy (Simmons-Daffin, 2021). This correspondingly applies to situations where pregnancy occurred due to rape or incest. Thus, there is an increasing number of precedents that affect the position of women in society.

Methods

This study uses qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis. A set of empirical methods: a questionnaire for pregnant women in a situation of reproductive choice was used to identify the socio-psychological factors accompanying the decision to terminate the pregnancy. The developed questionnaire will allow studying of a wide range of women, as well as the reasons for their decision to have an abortion (Coast et al., 2018). In addition, this approach is most suitable for the project as it entitles the researcher to identify the real interests and position of the population regarding the existing problem. Thus, a statistical analysis based on a questionnaire will be carried out, which will serve to determine the consequences of the introduction of a prohibition on termination of pregnancy.

Theoretical Framework

The following theoretical framework is used to test the stated hypotheses and achieve the research goal. It corresponds to the purpose and research methods, as it reveals various aspects of studying this issue about the essence of the perception of abortion in society (Gloppen, 2021). It is necessary to conduct a theoretical analysis of the pregnancy termination problem, reflected in psychological research (Adamczyk et al., 2020). Then the researcher needs to identify the severity of various socio-psychological factors of termination of pregnancy in women. In the end, it is essential to establish the specifics of the socio-psychological factors of termination of pregnancy in women of different age groups.

Conclusion

The scientific novelty of the study lies in the concretization of the scientific understanding of the socio-psychological factors of artificial termination of pregnancy. The individual psychological characteristics, coping strategies, fundamental beliefs, self-esteem, and mental state of women referred for the abortion procedure are determined and substantiated. The study’s practical significance lies in the fact that the results obtained are important for the prevention of the manifestation of negative psychological causes. Identifying the position of women regarding this problem will allow us to pay attention to the development of this issue in the legal field. In addition, it is essential to improve the state of social stability. The adoption of various restrictive laws negatively affects the psychosocial status of women in society. Thus, this factor can cause deterioration in the quality of pregnancy and children’s life.

References

Adamczyk, A., Kim, C., & Dillon, L. (2020). Examining public opinion about abortion: A Mixed‐Methods systematic review of research over the last 15 years.Sociological Inquiry, 90(4), 920–954.

Apetogbor, C. (2022). Roe v. Wade: Understanding the 1973 case that revolutionized abortion rights in the U.S. Le Monde.

Austin, N., & Harper, S. (2018). Assessing the impact of TRAP laws on abortion and women’s health in the USA: a systematic review. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, 44(2), 128-134.

Coast, E., Norris, A. H., Moore, A. M., & Freeman, E. (2018). Trajectories of women’s abortion-related care: A conceptual framework.Social Science & Medicine, 200, 199–210.

Gloppen, S. (2021). Conceptualizing abortion lawfare.Revista Direito, 17(3), 1–31.

Magro Malosso, E. R., Saccone, G., Simonetti, B., Squillante, M., & Berghella, V. (2018). US trends in abortion and preterm birth.The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 31(18), 2463–2467.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). The safety and quality of abortion care in the United States (consensus study report) (1st ed.). National Academies Press.

Silberner, J. (2022). Unborn in the USA: What happened and what’s next for Roe and Wade and abortion rights?BMJ, o1184.

Simmons-Daffin, S. (2021). The Texas abortion ban hinges on “fetal Heartbeat.” doctors call that misleading. NPR. Web.

Weber, P. J. (2021). Judge orders Texas to suspend new law banning most abortions. AP NEWS.

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