Abstract
The aim was to identify from empirical research that used quantitative or qualitative methods the reasons women give for having an abortion. A search was conducted of peer-reviewed, English language publications indexed in eight computerized databases with publication date 1996–2008, using keywords ‘abortion’ and ‘reason’ (Medline: ‘induced abortion’ OR ‘termination of pregnancy’ OR ‘elective abortion’ and ‘reason’). Inclusion criteria were empirical research on humans that identified women’s reasons for undergoing an abortion, conducted in ‘high-income’ countries. 19 eligible papers were found. Despite variation in methods of generating, collecting, and analysing reasons, and the inadequacy of methodological detail in some papers, all contributed to a consistent picture of the reasons women give for having an abortion, with three main categories (‘Woman-focused’, ‘Other-focused’, and ‘Material’) identified. Ambivalence was often evident in women’s awareness of reasons for continuing the pregnancy, but abortion was chosen because continuing with the pregnancy was assessed as having adverse effects on the life of the woman and significant others. Women’s reasons were complex and contingent, taking into account their own needs, a sense of responsibility to existing children and the potential child, and the contribution of significant others, including the genetic father.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Addor V, Narring F, Michaud P-A (2003) Abortion trends 1990–1999 in a Swiss region and determinants of abortion recurrence. Swiss Medical Weekly 133:219–226
Alex L, Hammarstrom A (2004) Women's experiences in connection with induced abortion–a feminist perspective. Scand J Caring Sci 18:160–168
Allanson S (2007) Abortion decision and ambivalence: insights via an abortion decision balance sheet. Clin Psychol 11:50–60
Bankole A, Singh S, Haas T (1998) Reasons why women have induced abortions: evidence from 27 countries. Int Fam Plann Perspect 24(117–127):152
Bowes T, Macleod C (2006) The characteristics of women seeking termination of pregnancy at an urban-based government hospital in the Eastern Cape. Curationis 29(4):12–18
Broen AN, Moum T, Bodtker AS, Ekeberg O (2005) Reasons for induced abortion and their relation to women's emotional distress: a prospective, two-year follow-up study. Gen Hosp Psych 27:36–43
Cagnacci A, Volpe A (2001) Is voluntary abortion a seasonal disorder of mood? Hum Reprod 16:1748–1752
Dixon-Woods M, Bonas S, Booth A, Jones DR, Miller T, Sutton AJ et al (2006) How can systematic reviews incorporate qualitative research? A critical perspective. Qual Res 6:27–44
Ehrlich JS (2003) Choosing abortion: teens who make the decision without parental involvement. Gend Issues 21(2):3–39
Ekstrand M, Larsson M, Von Essen L, Tyden T (2005) Swedish teenager perceptions of teenage pregnancy, abortion, sexual behavior, and contraceptive habits - a focus group study among 17-year-old female high-school students. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 84:980–986
Finer LB, Frohwirth LF, Dauphinee LA, Singh S, Moore AM (2005) Reasons U.S. women have abortions: quantitative and qualitative perspectives. Perspect Sex Reprod Health 37:110–118
Glander SS, Michielutte R, Parsons LH (1998) The prevalence of domestic violence among women seeking abortion. Obstet Gynecol 91:1002–1006
Halldén BM, Christensson K, Olsson P (2005) Meanings of being pregnant and having decided on abortion: young Swedish women's experiences. Health Care Women Int 26:788–806
Helström L, Zätterström C, Odlind V (2006) Abortion rate and contraceptive practices in immigrant and Swedish adolescents. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 19:209–213
Jones RK, Frohwirth LF, Moore AM (2008) "I would want to give my child, like, everything in the world": how issues of motherhood influence women who have abortions. J Fam Issues 29:79–99
Kero A, Lalos A (2000) Ambivalence - a logical response to legal abortion: a prospective study among women and men. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 21:81–91
Kero A, Hogberg U, Lalos A (2004) Wellbeing and mental growth–long-term effects of legal abortion. Soc Sci Med 58:2559–2569
Korenromp MJ, Page-Christiaens GCML, van den Bout J, Mulder EJH, Visser GHA (2007) Maternal decision to terminate pregnancy in case of Down syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 196:149e1–149e11
Kozinszky Z, Boda K, Bártfai G (2001) Determinants of abortion among women undergoing artificial termination of pregnancy. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care 6:145–152
Larsson M, Aneblom G, Odlind V, Tyden T (2002) Reasons for pregnancy termination, contraceptive habits and contraceptive failure among Swedish women requesting an early pregnancy termination. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 81:64–71
Liamputtong P (2003) Abortion–it is for some women only! Hmong women's perceptions of abortion. Health Care Women Int 24:230–241
Mavroforou A, Koumantakis E, Michalodimitrakis E (2004) Adolescence and abortion in Greece: women's profile and perceptions. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 17:321–326
McIntyre M, Anderson B, McDonald C (2001) The intersection of relational and cultural narratives: women's abortion experiences. Can J Nurs Res 33(3):47–62
Menahem S, Grimwade J (2003) Pregnancy termination following prenatal diagnosis of serious heart disease in the fetus. Early Hum Dev 73:71–78
Misago C, Fonseca W, Correia L, Fernandes LM, Campbell O (1998) Determinants of abortion among women admitted to hospitals in Fortaleza, North Eastern Brazil. Int J Epidemiol 27:833–839
Mitchell EMH, Halpern CT, Kamathi EM, Owino S (2006) Social scripts and stark realities: Kenyan adolescents’ abortion discourse. Cult Health Sex 8:515–528
Mogilevkina I, Hellberg D, Nordstrom M-L, Odlind V (2000) Factors associated with pregnancy termination in Ukrainian women. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 79:1126–1131
Osler M, David HP, Morgall JM (1997) Multiple induced abortions: Danish experience. Patient Educ Couns 31:83–89
Rizzardo R, Novarin S, Forza G, Cosentino M (1991) Personality and psychological distress in legal abortion, threatened miscarriage and normal pregnancy. Psychother Psychosom 56:227–234
Rousso D, Panidis D, Karayannis B, Kourtis A, Petropoulos P, Mamopoulos M (2000) Induced abortion: a four-year experience at a University Gynaecological Clinic in Greece. J Obstet Gynaecol 20:618–619
Santelli JS, Speizer IS, Avery A, Kendall C (2006) An exploration of the dimensions of pregnancy intentions among women choosing to terminate pregnancy or to initiate prenatal care in New Orleans, Louisiana. Am J Pub Health 96:2009–2015
Savonius H, Pakarinen P, Sjöberg L, Kajanoja P (1995) Reasons for pregnancy termination: negligence or failure of contraception? Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 74:818–821
Sihvo S, Bajos N, Ducot B, Kaminski M (2003) Women’s life cycle and abortion decision in unintended pregnancies. J Epidemiol Community Health 57:601–605
Törnbom M, Möller A (1999) Repeat abortion: a qualitative study. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 20:21–30
Wiebe ER, Trouton KJ, Fielding SL, Klippenstein J, Henderson A (2005) Antichoice attitudes to abortion in women presenting for medical abortions. J Obstet Gynaecol Can 27:247–250
World Bank. (2007). List of Economies: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/DATASTATISTICS/Resources/CLASS.XLS, consulted 3.7.07.
Acknowledgements
This review was made possible through funding by the Australian Research Council (grant # LP0667968) and the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. We thank Patrick Condron of the Baillieu Library, the University of Melbourne, for his assistance with the comprehensive literature search.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kirkman, M., Rowe, H., Hardiman, A. et al. Reasons women give for abortion: a review of the literature. Arch Womens Ment Health 12, 365–378 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-009-0084-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-009-0084-3