A COMPARISON OF CRISIS VARIABLES AMONG GROUPS OF WOMEN EXPERIENCING INDUCED ABORTION.
Contributors: University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Published: 1983
Number of pages: 314
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: One possible resolution of the crisis of an unwanted pregnancy is an induced abortion. Thus, the purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to describe the crisis related variables of self-concept, current psychological response, environmental support, and meaning of the crisis among different groups of women (women choosing to continue their pregnancy, women requesting contraceptive services, women experiencing a first time or repeat abortion under local anesthesia, and women experiencing a first time or repeat abortion under general anesthesia) and (b) to identify the crisis related variables which are predictive of women experiencing repeat abortions under both local and general anesthesia. Crisis theory served as the theoretical framework.

The sample consisted of 265 single women. All pregnant women were in their first trimester of pregnancy. Data on the abortion subjects were collected at the time of the abortion procedure. Three data collection instruments were used: the Tennessee Self Concept Scale, the SCL-90-R Scale, and the Crisis Assessment Checklist. Multiple data analyses were conducted among and between the groups of women.

Significant differences at the .01 to .0001 level were found among the groups in selected demographic and crisis related variables of self-concept, current psychological response, and meaning of the crisis. The groups differed significantly according to number of living children, race, socioeconomic levels, and numerous subscales on the three data collection instruments.

The subscale variables most predictive of classification of women into repeat abortion group under both local and general anesthesia were identified. When the profiles were applied to the groups of women experiencing their first abortion under local and general anesthesia, 28% and 12% of the members respectively were identified as at risk for repeat abortions.

Major implications for nursing practice include: (1) The identification of an at risk profile of local and general abortion clients. (2) The identification of four distinct abortion resolutions which are in keeping with the personality of the client, indicating a need for increased availability of abortion options.

Recommendations included the conduction of longitudinal studies of married and single women experiencing abortions and studies of crisis in women seeking contraceptive services.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-04, Section: B, page: 1154.

Thesis (D.S.N.)--UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM, 1983.

School code: 0005.