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Self-blame, self-efficacy, and adjustment to abortion
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Counseling interventions improved adjustment to abortion by altering attributions or enhancing coping expectations. Coping self-efficacy also significantly predicted better adjustment post-abortion.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Mental Health
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Adjustment to abortion is a significant life event.
- Attributions and coping self-efficacy are key factors influencing adjustment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the causal impact of counseling interventions on attributions and coping self-efficacy.
- To assess the effect of these interventions on women's adjustment to abortion.
Main Methods:
- 283 women were randomly assigned to attribution alteration (ATT-INT), expectation enhancement (EXP-INT), or standard counseling.
- Postabortion assessments included depression, mood, anticipated consequences, and physical complaints.
Main Results:
- Both ATT-INT and EXP-INT groups showed better immediate adjustment than the control group.
- The EXP-INT group reported less depression than the ATT-INT group.
- High coping self-efficacy, low self-blame, and low other-blame predicted better adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Counseling interventions can positively impact adjustment to abortion.
- Coping self-efficacy is a crucial predictor of long-term adjustment.
- Findings have implications for therapeutic interventions and public policy regarding abortion.