Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
14:43
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
13.6K
Can stories reduce abortion stigma? Findings from a longitudinal cohort study
Kate Cockrill1, Antonia Biggs1
1a Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health , University of California , San Francisco , USA.
Culture, Health & Sexuality
|July 15, 2017
Summary
Reading abortion stories in book clubs encouraged women to disclose their own experiences and reduced stigma. This intervention improved feelings toward abortion and providers, especially with in-person sharing.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Reproductive Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Abortion stigma leads to secrecy, isolation, and social silence.
- Selective disclosure of abortion experiences is common among women.
- Lack of social support can exacerbate negative impacts of abortion stigma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess if a book club intervention can facilitate abortion disclosure.
- To evaluate if the intervention improves affective responses towards abortion and providers.
- To understand the impact of shared abortion narratives on stigma reduction.
Main Methods:
- 109 women in 13 all-female book clubs across 9 US states participated.
- Participants read and discussed a non-fiction book featuring abortion stories.
- Surveys were administered at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at endline.
Main Results:
- In 10 of 13 discussions, at least one member disclosed a past abortion.
- 15 of 19 women who privately reported abortions self-disclosed during discussions.
- Participants reported more positive feelings toward women with abortions and providers post-intervention.
Conclusions:
- Exposure to abortion narratives in book clubs can reduce abortion stigma.
- In-person disclosure within groups led to greater and more lasting positive effects.
- Book club interventions show promise for supporting abortion disclosure and mitigating stigma.
More Related Videos
06:39Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
3.8K
05:16Multiplexed Fluorescent Immunohistochemical Staining of Four Endometrial Immune Cell Types in Recurrent Miscarriage
Published on: August 4, 2021
3.8K
Related Concept Videos
02:20Longitudinal Research
13.5K
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
13.5K
01:26Longitudinal Studies
579
Longitudinal studies are also widely used in other medical and social science fields. For instance, in cardiovascular research, they can monitor patients' health over decades to identify risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or smoking, and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of preventive measures. Similarly, in mental health studies, researchers might follow individuals from adolescence into adulthood to understand the development and progression of conditions like...
579
01:52Regression Toward the Mean
7.2K
Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when...
7.2K
01:50Cross-Sectional Research
12.7K
In cross-sectional research, a researcher compares multiple segments of the population at the same time. If they were interested in people's dietary habits, the researcher might directly compare different groups of people by age. Instead of following a group of people for 20 years to see how their dietary habits changed from decade to decade, the researcher would study a group of 20-year-old individuals and compare them to a group of 30-year-old individuals and a group of 40-year-old...
12.7K
01:29Bias in Epidemiological Studies
1.4K
Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:
1.4K
01:28Infertility in Females
4.9K
Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse and affects about 10–15% of couples worldwide. The primary cause of female infertility is ovulatory disorders, which hinder the release of eggs. These disorders can be classified as hypothalamic amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemic anovulation disorders.
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
4.9K