Assessing psychosocial costs: Ohio patients’ experiences seeking abortion care

Odum, Tamika; Heymann, Orlaith; Turner, Abigail Norris; Rivlin, Katherine; Bessett, Danielle

doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2022.08.007

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to provide such evidence about the quantitative relationships between delay-causing obstacles to abortion care and people’s mental health. These novel results reinforce qualitative research that focuses on the emotional burden of seeking abortion in the U.S. [5] , [20] , [21] , [22] . They also suggest that policies that restrict access and lead to delays, such as mandated waiting period laws and gestational limits, may be negatively associated with the psychological well-being of people trying to obtain abortion care [23] .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

“…A few qualitative studies have documented the emotional toll of delay-causing obstacles, including prolonged processes of referrals and Medicaid coverage application, lengthy appointment scheduling, time needed to raise funds to pay for the procedure, increased travel distances to reach a clinic, and multiple visits requirements [5] , [20] , [21] , [22] . While these studies lay an important groundwork, more is needed to further understand the psychological burden of encountering delays when seeking abortion care.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Experiences of delay-causing obstacles and mental health at the time of abortion seeking

Wasser,

Ralph,

Kaller

et al. 2024

Contraception: X

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of delay-causing obstacles and mental health at the time of abortion seeking

Wasser,

Ralph,

Kaller

et al. 2024

Contraception: X

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“…As a result, broader questions on the individual and societal consequences of changes in the legality of abortion have come into focus. While some of this debate is of an ethical or philosophical nature [ 5 ], much of it concerns the physical, psychological, and social consequences of such changes, particularly when they are in the direction of reduced access [ 6 , 7 ]. These considerations should be viewed against the background of global statistics on abortion and abortion access.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship Between Access to Abortion and Mental Health in Women of Childbearing Age: Analyses of Data From the Global Burden of Disease Studies

Rajkumar¹

2022

Cureus

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Background It has often been suggested that restricting access to legal abortion could have a negative impact on the mental health of women seeking this procedure. The recent judgment of the United States Supreme Court in the Dobbs case has brought the question of the psychological impact of changes in abortion policy into focus. The results of studies on the link between induced abortion and mental health are contradictory, and interpreting the results of these studies is complex due to a multitude of potential confounding factors. However, there is little data on the relationship between the availability of legal abortion and its effects on the mental health of women of childbearing age in the general population. Objective The objective of the current study was to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between access to legal abortion and the prevalence of common mental disorders in women of childbearing age at a cross-national level while correcting for potential confounding factors. Methods The current study employs both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of nation-level data for 197 countries and regions. As data on global abortion policy were compiled in 2009 and 2017 by the Guttmacher Institute, data on access to legal abortion for these years were examined in relation to the prevalence of anxiety disorders and depression in women of childbearing age for each country, obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Studies for the most recent subsequent year (2010 and 2019). The relationship between changes in abortion policy and changes in the prevalence of these disorders in each country was examined for the aforementioned period. All analyses were adjusted for the potential confounding effects of gender development, gender inequality, and intimate partner violence. Cross-sectional associations were examined using Pearson's bivariate and partial correlations, while longitudinal associations were examined using a general linear model and analyses of covariance. Results At the cross-sectional level, broad legal access to abortion was associated with a lower prevalence of depression in women aged 25-49 years, however, this association was not significant after correcting for measures of gender development, gender inequality, and intimate partner violence. At the longitudinal level, a slight but significant decrease in the prevalence of anxiety disorders in women aged 25-49 years was observed in countries where access to legal abortion was broadened in the period 2009-2017. This association remained marginally significant after adjustment for the above confounders. Conclusions The current study suggests that there is a modest relationship between access to legal abortion and its effects on the mental health of women aged 25-49 years. However, this relationship appears to be largely indirect in nature and influenced by factors, such as gender development, gender inequality, and intimate pa...

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“…Before a patient connects with or visits an abortion facility, they may have already started to navigate numerous economic, logistic, psychosocial, emotional, and legal hurdles [49 ▪ ]. There are opportunities for facilities to implement person-centered abortion care from first contact to discharge to ease these burdens.…”

Section: Considerations For the Individualmentioning

confidence: 99%

Travel for abortion care: implications for clinical practice

Lerma,

Coplon,

Goyal

2023

Current Opinion in Obstetrics &Amp; Gynecology

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Purpose of review Traveling long distances to obtain abortion care due to restrictions and scarce availability is associated with significant obstacles. We review clinical strategies that can facilitate abortion access and outline considerations to ensure person-centered and equitable care. Recent findings Establishing a patient's gestational duration prior to travel may be beneficial to ensure they are eligible for their desired abortion method at the preferred facility or to determine if a multiday procedure is required. If a local ultrasound cannot be obtained prior to travel, evidence demonstrates people can generally estimate their gestational duration accurately. If unable to provide care, clinicians should make timely referrals for abortion. Integration of telemedicine into abortion care is safe and well regarded by patients and should be implemented into service delivery where possible to reduce obstacles to care. Routine in-person follow-up care is not necessary. However, for those who want reassurance, formalized pathways to care should be established to ensure people have access to care in their community. To further minimize travel-related burdens, facilities should routinely offer information about funding and practical support, emotional support, and legal resources. Summary There are many opportunities to optimize clinical practice to support those traveling for abortion care.

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Assessing psychosocial costs: Ohio patients’ experiences seeking abortion care

Cited by 4 publications

References 22 publications

Experiences of delay-causing obstacles and mental health at the time of abortion seeking

Experiences of delay-causing obstacles and mental health at the time of abortion seeking

The Relationship Between Access to Abortion and Mental Health in Women of Childbearing Age: Analyses of Data From the Global Burden of Disease Studies

Travel for abortion care: implications for clinical practice

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