Posttraumatic Abortion-Related Stress in Psychiatric Outpatients

Objective: This study examines potential risk factors for long-term abortion-related distress in women. Method: One hundred and two women receiving outpatient psychiatric services were assigned to one of three groups on the basis of their reported abortion history. Women with a positive history of abortion were assigned to a distressed or non-distressed group depending on whether abortion-related distress was a primary presenting problem. Women with no history of abortion who sought outpatient services served as controls. Results: Comparisons across groups revealed that the abortion-distressed group had symptoms consistent with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, including intrusive thoughts of the abortion experience and active avoidance of events associated with their abortions. Two women who underwent an abortion following rape were both in the abortion-distressed group. Conclusions: Implications for identifying women at risk for long-term distress are discussed and suggestions for clinical interventions are made.