Depression and anxiety among women with unwanted pregnancies seeking termination

To compare depressive and anxiety symptoms in women with unwanted and planned pregnancies.

In this cross-sectional comparative study, we enrolled 220 pregnant women who presented to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Yozgat Bozok University between January 2023 and June 2025. The study group comprised 120 women with unwanted pregnancies seeking elective termination before 10 weeks of gestation. The control group included 100 women with planned pregnancies. Socio-demographic and obstetric data were collected. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory, respectively.

Women with unwanted pregnancies had a significantly higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than women with planned pregnancies (46.7% vs. 28.0%; p=0.004). In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence or severity of anxiety symptoms between the groups (p=0.450). Women in the unwanted pregnancy group were significantly older, had higher parity and lower educational attainment, and were more likely to be unmarried (all p<0.001). Following termination, 20.8% of women had no future contraceptive plans, whereas 40% intended to use an intrauterine device.

Unwanted pregnancy culminating in a request for termination is a potent risk factor for depressive symptoms, particularly among socioeconomically vulnerable women, but not necessarily for anxiety. These findings underscore the critical need to integrate mental health screening, especially for depression, and comprehensive, patient-centered contraceptive counseling into routine antenatal and post-abortion care services. Addressing the psychosocial needs of this population is essential for mitigating adverse mental health outcomes.