The place of abortion in the pregnancy decision-making process in young adult women in Catalonia, Spain

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2249403
AutoresLaia Ferrer (0000-0002-5860-9105, Centre for Epidemiological Studies on STI and AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT) Public Health Agency of Catalonia (APSCAT) Generalitat de Catalunya Spain, autor correspondente), Montserrat Solsona I Pairó (0000-0002-5613-672X, Centre for Demographic Studies), Montserrat Solsona Pairó (Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) Centre for Demographic Studies (CED) Spain)
Ano2018
Volume40
Fascículo6
Páginas1087-1103
Data de publicação2018-07-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSociology of Health & Illness (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0141-9889 • E-ISSN: 1467-9566
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1467-9566.12744
PMID29785717
OpenAlexW2803437559
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas6
Referências citadas28

Induced abortion is one option to control fertility in Spain. Young adult women (25-34 years old) show a different abortion pattern compared to women in other age groups, being less likely to seek abortions than younger women and having one of the lowest proportions of unintended pregnancies. We aimed to analyse the factors involved in the pregnancy decision-making process to better understand why young adult women seek abortions in Catalonia, Spain. In-depth semi-structured interviews with 25 nulliparous pregnant young adult women and one focus group discussion with healthcare providers were conducted in 2008/2010. We found that inconsistent contraceptive use prior to an unintended pregnancy was due to ambivalence and weighing of priorities during sex. The quality of the relationship was paramount to the abortion decision whereas other reasons (financial/employment status, fulfilling aspirations, support networks) were less important. We conclude that the motivations for the abortion decision are interrelated and based on the current life stage of women and that there is pressure on young adult women in Spain to become mothers. Induced abortion is perceived as the last resort to postpone motherhood. Our findings reinforce the unequal societal burden placed on women to take responsibility for prevention of unintended pregnancy

Abortion · Ambivalence · Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Family planning · Fertility · Focus group · Gynecology · Population · Pregnancy · Sociology · Unintended pregnancy · Young adult · Demography · Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Contraception · Reproductive Health and Technologies · Social Psychology