Women's experiences of abortion in South Africa : an exploratory study

In South Africa the provision of legal abortion is currently restricted by law and many women procure illegal abortions. Abortion law is currently under appraisal, with a possible move towards liberalising abortion availability. Following a brief history of abortion legislation and a research review on abortion sequelae and the factors influencing risk for negative post-abortion sequelae, this study explores the wide range of variables which together form women's experiences of abortion in South Africa. These include both the social context of abortion and women's individual perspectives. Twelve women volunteers who had undergone abortion in South Africa were gathered through the University of Cape Town and interviewed on their experiences. A semi-structured interview schedule was used, and interviews were audio-taped and transcribed. Interview questions were based on past research into factors affecting abortion experiences and post-abortion adjustment. Responses were analysed thematically according to the circumstances of the / pregnancy, the decision-making around the abortion, access to abortion, post-abortion responses and ideas for pre- and post-abortion counselling. Findings suggest that abortion is followed by a range of responses, influenced by the meaningfulness of the pregnancy to the woman involved, her belief system, her personal circumstances, the extent to which she feels in control of her circumstances, her coping style, and the social climate surrounding the abortion experience. The participants acknowledged the benefits of abortion counselling, particularly for women who suffer post-abortion distress, who are ambivalent about their abortions, or who are forced by external circumstances to choose abortion. Suggestions on issues necessary to address in abortion counselling are made. Recommendations for future abortion research are included.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

1996

Author dc:creator

• McCulloch, Ursula R

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Swartz, Sally

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13487

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/13487