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Published on: February 3, 2026
Prevalence and prediction of re-experiencing and avoidance after elective surgical abortion: a prospective study
Arnold A P van Emmerik1, Jan H Kamphuis, Paul M G Emmelkamp
1Department of Clinical, Health and Neuropsychology, Leiden University, the Netherlands. A.A.P.vanEmmerik@uva.nl
Objective:
This study investigated short-term re-experiencing and avoidance after elective surgical abortion. In addition, it was prospectively investigated whether peritraumatic dissociation and pre-abortion dissociative tendencies and alexithymia predict re-experiencing and avoidance.
Method:
In a prospective observational design, Dutch-speaking women presenting for first trimester elective surgical abortion completed self-report measures for dissociative tendency and alexithymia. Peritraumatic dissociation was measured immediately post-abortion. Re-experiencing and avoidance were measured 2 months post-abortion.
Results:
Participants reported moderately elevated levels of re-experiencing and avoidance that exceeded a clinical cut-off point for 19.4% of the participants. Peritraumatic dissociation predicted intrusion and avoidance at 2 months. In addition, avoidance was predicted by the alexithymic aspect of difficulty describing feelings.
Conclusions:
Re-experiencing and avoidance after elective surgical abortion represent a significant clinical problem that is predicted by peritraumatic dissociation and alexithymia. Psychological screening and intervention might be a useful adjunct to elective abortion procedures.
