Survey of Reactions to Abortion
A total of 260 women participated in this survey. Most questions are answered on a Likert scale between 1 and 5, indicating the range of the subject's agreement or disagreement with a statement regarding a particular reaction to her abortion. Since some women skipped questions that they felt were not applicable to them or that they did not want to answer, or answered in a form that could not be coded, each item is accompanied by a number in parenthesis (N), which indicates the number of women who responded to that question. The percentages given correspond to this (N).
Present age: (N = 259); Avg: 32.0 yrs:
| <20 |
20-24 |
25-29 |
30-34 |
35-39 |
>39 |
| 2.7% |
11.2% |
27.0% |
24.3% |
23.9% |
10.8% |
Race or ethnic origin: (N = 255):
| White |
Non-White |
| 92.3% |
7.7% |
State of residence:
Respondents from 35 states
Highest grade completed: (N = 254); Avg: 13.6 yrs
| <12 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
>17 |
| 7.5% |
40.2% |
12.2% |
17.7% |
1.6% |
16.9% |
1.2% |
2.8% |
How old were you at the time of your abortion? (N = 257); Avg: 21.5 yrs
| <15 |
15-19 |
20-24 |
25-29 |
30-34 |
>35 |
| 1.9% |
40.1% |
36.2% |
15.6% |
4.3% |
1.9% |
Time since abortion, in years (a calculated field): (N = 257) Avg: 10.6 yrs
| <6 |
6-10 |
11-15 |
16-20 |
>20 |
| 19.8% |
33.1% |
31.1% |
12.1% |
3.9% |
| |
(N) |
Strongly Disagree |
|
|
|
Strongly Agree |
| My choice to abort was consistent with my prior beliefs about abortion. |
(254) |
36.2% |
17.3% |
18.5% |
16.1% |
11.8% |
My choice was inconsistent with my prior beliefs. I felt my decision was a betrayal of my own ideals. |
(248) |
12.9% |
11.3% |
15.3% |
14.9% |
45.6% |
| My decision to have an abortion was an agonizing one. |
(256) |
8.4% |
11.6% |
7.2% |
18.5% |
54.2% |
| Prior to my abortion I was a religious person. |
(259) |
16.6% |
19.7% |
17.0% |
26.3% |
20.5% |
| There was a time prior to my abortion when I received professional counseling for emotional or psychiatric difficulties. |
(248) |
59.7% |
12.9% |
4.0% |
10.1% |
13.3% |
| The memory of my abortion has faded with time. |
(256) |
52.0% |
22.3% |
6.6% |
10.2% |
9.0% |
| The memory of my abortion is vividly clear. |
(255) |
8.2% |
10.2% |
9.8% |
25.1% |
46.7% |
| The abortion procedure was painful. |
(257) |
10.9% |
8.2% |
12.1% |
22.2% |
46.7% |
After my abortion, I experienced feelings of:
| |
(N) |
Strongly Disagree |
|
|
|
Strongly Agree |
| Guilt |
(256)
| 0.4%
| 2.3%
| 4.7%
| 31.3%
| 61.3%
|
| Depression |
(255) |
0.4% |
3.9% |
7.5% |
35.7% |
52.5% |
After my abortion, I experienced:
| |
(N) |
Strongly Disagree |
|
|
|
Strongly Agree |
| Self-hatred |
(250) |
2.8% |
6.8% |
13.6% |
33.2% |
43.6% |
| Alienation from |
(238) |
3.4% |
20.6% |
18.5% |
31.9% |
25.6% |
| Inner peace |
(237) |
63.7% |
25.7% |
5.5% |
2.1% |
3.0% |
| Unforgiveness of self |
(258) |
1.9% |
5.8% |
6.6% |
31.4% |
54.3% |
| Unforgiveness those involved |
(252) |
5.6% |
15.5% |
14.7% |
34.9% |
29.4% |
| Having become degraded or debased |
(243) |
2.1% |
12.8% |
17.7% |
37.4% |
30.0% |
| Having been exploited by others |
(243) |
2.9% |
15.2% |
19.3% |
30.9% |
31.7% |
| Hatred of those involved |
(240) |
7.9% |
22.5% |
22.9% |
22.9% |
23.8% |
| Hatred of man who made me pregnant |
(249) |
15.3% |
29.7% |
20.1% |
16.9% |
18.1% |
| Hatred of all men |
(243) |
23.0% |
33.7% |
19.8% |
15.2% |
8.2% |
| Fear of punishment from God |
(249) |
4.4% |
12.0% |
13.3% |
34.9% |
35.3% |
| Fear of harm to my other children |
(218) |
17.0% |
21.6% |
12.8% |
25.2% |
23.4% |
| Fear of another pregnancy |
(245) |
13.5% |
23.7% |
13.9% |
25.3% |
23.7% |
| Fear of needing another abortion |
(244) |
24.2% |
28.7% |
12.3% |
15.2% |
19.7% |
| Fear of touching babies |
(246) |
24.8% |
37.0% |
13.0% |
13.8% |
11.4% |
| Fear of others learning of abortion |
(255) |
5.5% |
9.4% |
8.2% |
42.0% |
34.9% |
| Fear of making decisions |
(245) |
6.9% |
21.6% |
23.3% |
28.2% |
20.0% |
| A compulsion to be a perfect mother |
(231) |
10.0% |
19.0% |
21.2% |
24.7% |
25.1% |
| An inability to keep jobs |
(232) |
27.6% |
33.6% |
14.2% |
15.9% |
8.6% |
| A loss of concentration |
(236) |
8.9% |
22.5% |
21.2% |
29.2% |
18.2% |
| Difficulty in maintaining and developing personal relationships |
(246) |
9.3% |
19.5% |
14.2% |
30.1% |
26.8% |
After my abortion, I became:
| |
(N) |
Strongly Disagree |
|
|
|
Strongly Agree |
| Preoccupied with thoughts of death. |
(243) |
14.4% |
29.6% |
13.2% |
20.6% |
22.2% |
| Preoccupied with thoughts of the child I could have had. |
(252) |
5.6% |
12.7% |
10.3% |
34.9% |
36.5% |
| Excessively interested in pregnant women. |
(243) |
21.0% |
33.7% |
15.2% |
17.7% |
12.3% |
| Excessively interested in babies. |
(244) |
18.9% |
28.3% |
15.2% |
19.3% |
18.4% |
Negative feelings about my abortion became worse:
| |
(N) |
Strongly Disagree |
|
|
|
Strongly Agree |
| On the due date of the pregnancy. |
(238) |
10.9% |
25.6% |
20.6% |
21.8% |
21.0% |
| On the anniversary of the abortion. |
(235) |
11.5% |
17.4% |
19.6% |
26.4% |
25.1% |
After my abortion:
| |
(N) |
Strongly Disagree |
|
|
|
Strongly Agree |
| I started losing my temper more easily |
(245) |
5.3% |
14.3% |
21.2% |
35.1% |
24.1% |
| I became more violent when angered |
(246) |
10.6% |
26.4% |
15.4% |
26.8% |
20.7% |
| I began to drink more heavily |
(244) |
27.0% |
27.5% |
9.0% |
19.3% |
17.2% |
| |
(N) |
Yes |
No |
Unsure |
| If [ you began to drink more heavily ], would you describe yourself as having become an alcoholic? |
(107) |
27.1% |
50.5% |
22.4% |
| |
(N) |
Strongly Disagree |
|
|
|
Strongly Agree |
| I began to use, or increased my use of drugs |
(234) |
33.8% |
20.5% |
5.1% |
21.4% |
19.2% |
| |
(N) |
Yes |
No |
Unsure |
| If [ you began to use, or increased your use of drugs ], would you describe yourself as having become addicted? |
(106) |
25.5% |
61.3% |
13.2% |
| |
(N) |
Strongly Disagree |
|
|
|
Strongly Agree |
| I underwent a dramatic personality change. |
(240) |
6.7% |
15.4% |
26.7% |
26.7% |
24.6% |
| If so, the change was for the better. |
(155) |
61.3% |
18.1% |
12.9% |
4.5% |
3.2% |
Was your abortion... (N = 251)
| Legal? |
Illegal? |
(Indicated one of each) |
| 92.1% |
7.1% |
.8% |
How many abortions have you had? (N = 258)
| One |
Two |
Three |
Four or more |
| 73.6% |
17.8% |
5% |
3.5% |
Marital status at that time: (N = 254)
| Single |
Married |
Engaged |
Separated/Divorced |
| 64.6% |
15.4% |
7.1% |
13.0% |
How many weeks pregnant were you at that time? (N = 247) Avg: 9.6 wks
| <5 |
5-6 |
7-8 |
9-10 |
1l-12 |
l3-l6 |
16-20 |
>20 |
| 7.7% |
11.7% |
28.3% |
16.2% |
21.1% |
10.9% |
2.4% |
1.6% |
How many children did you have at that time? (N = 260)
| Zero |
Qne |
Two |
Three |
Over Three |
| 74.2% |
13.8% |
8.5% |
2.7% |
0% |
What type of abortion procedure was used? (N = 245)
| Suction |
D&C |
Saline/Prostaglandin |
Other |
| 80.0% |
13.5% |
3.7% |
2.9% |
Were you awake during the procedure? (N = 255)
| Yes |
No |
Unsure |
| 79.6% |
18.8% |
1.6% |
Were you given pain killers or anesthetics prior to the operation? (N = 256)
| Yes |
No |
Unsure |
| 54.7% |
32.0% |
13.3% |
Pre and post feeling about abortion:
| |
(N) |
Strongly Disagree |
|
|
|
Strongly Agree |
| Prior to my abortion, I believed that abortion was a moral choice. |
(252) |
15.1% |
9.1% |
36.9% |
22.2% |
16.7% |
| I believed abortion should be a legal option for all women. |
(257) |
29.2% |
10.1% |
24.9% |
19.5% |
16.3% |
After my abortion, I experienced feelings of:
| |
(N) |
Strongly Disagree |
|
|
|
Strongly Agree |
| Anger |
(255) |
1.2% |
9.0% |
9.0% |
35.7% |
45.1% |
| Sorrow |
(255) |
0.4% |
2.4% |
5.5% |
36.5% |
55.3% |
| Happiness |
(241) |
62.2% |
22.4% |
7.9% |
5.4% |
2.1% |
| Grief |
(255) |
0.8% |
5.5% |
9.0% |
40.8% |
43.9% |
| Bitterness |
(251) |
3.2% |
8.8% |
13.5% |
34.7% |
39.8% |
| Regret |
(257) |
1.9% |
3.5% |
9.7% |
32.7% |
52.1% |
| Rage |
(245) |
9.4% |
20.0% |
20.4% |
21.2% |
29.0% |
| Anguish |
(245) |
02.0% |
07.8% |
14.3% |
37.1% |
38.8% |
| Remorse |
(254) |
1.6% |
5.9% |
6.3% |
41.3% |
44.9% |
| Power |
(237) |
58.6% |
23.2% |
12.2% |
3.8% |
2.1% |
| Despair |
(245) |
2.4% |
9.8% |
13.9% |
35.5% |
38.4% |
| Shame |
(254) |
0.4% |
2.8% |
5.9% |
39.0% |
52.0% |
| Horror |
(241) |
4.6% |
13.3% |
23.2% |
29.0% |
29.9% |
| Unworthiness |
(254) |
1.6% |
3.9% |
8.7% |
33.5% |
52.4% |
| Loneliness |
(250) |
2.0% |
6.8% |
7.6% |
38.4% |
45.2% |
| Hopelessness |
(247) |
2.0% |
11.3% |
13.4% |
32.0% |
41.3% |
| Helplessness |
(248) |
2.0% |
14.1% |
11.7% |
31.5% |
40.7% |
| Self-condemnation |
(251) |
1.2% |
2.4% |
5.6% |
33.9% |
57.0% |
| Liberation |
(234) |
44.4% |
25.2% |
16.7% |
11.5% |
2.1% |
| Rejection |
(238) |
4.6% |
10.1% |
24.8% |
31.1% |
9.4% |
| Confusion |
(250) |
1.2% |
6.4% |
11.6% |
44.4% |
36.4% |
| Anxiety |
(248) |
1.6% |
6.5% |
10.5% |
43.5% |
37.9% |
| Stress |
(246) |
2.0% |
14.2% |
19.5% |
33.3% |
30.9% |
| Withdrawal |
(245) |
2.9% |
15.5% |
16.7% |
33.1% |
31.8% |
| Isolation |
(241) |
3.3% |
17.4% |
17.4% |
31.5% |
30.3% |
| Sexual freedom |
(235) |
40.0% |
25.5% |
19.1% |
11.1% |
4.3% |
After my abortion, I experienced:
| |
(N) |
Strongly Disagree |
|
|
|
Strongly Agree |
| Nightmares |
(241) |
16.2% |
22.4% |
14.9% |
28.6% |
17.8% |
| Insomnia |
(243) |
15.2% |
25.5% |
14.4% |
25.5% |
19.3% |
| Flashbacks to the abortion |
(249) |
8.0% |
18.1% |
10.4% |
35.3% |
28.1% |
| Hysterical outbreaks
| (244)
| 11.1%
| 25.4%
| 12.7%
| 22.5%
| 28.3%
|
| Uncontrollable weeping |
(242) |
5.8% |
14.5% |
9.9% |
35.5% |
34.3% |
| Suicidal feelings |
(244) |
12.3% |
22.5% |
9.4% |
24.2% |
31.6% |
| Greater closeness toward my lover |
(242) |
51.7% |
29.8% |
9.1% |
7.0% |
2.5% |
| A loss of self-confidence |
(249) |
2.4% |
9.2% |
12.9% |
38.2% |
37.3% |
| A loss of self-esteem |
(254) |
1.2% |
5.9% |
10.6% |
38.2% |
44.1% |
| A loss of dignity |
(251) |
1.2% |
8.0% |
10.4% |
42.2% |
38.2% |
| A general sense of loss |
(253) |
1.6% |
4.3% |
7.9% |
42.3% |
43.9% |
| Greater self-awareness |
(237) |
36.3% |
27.8% |
19.0% |
11.8% |
5.1% |
| Hallucinations related to abortion |
(233) |
30.0% |
41.6% |
13.7% |
6.9% |
7.7% |
| Eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, or binge eating. |
(241) |
22.4% |
31.5% |
7.5% |
20.3% |
18.3% |
| A general sense of emptiness |
(248) |
1.6% |
7.7% |
7.3% |
42.7% |
40.7% |
| A loss of sympathy for others |
(242) |
16.5% |
22.7% |
21.5% |
22.7% |
16.5% |
Negative feelings about my abortion became worse:
| |
(N) |
Strongly Disagree |
|
|
|
Strongly Agree |
| During a later pregnancy. |
(199) |
16.1% |
18.1% |
11.1% |
28.6% |
26.1% |
| At the birth of a later child. |
(200) |
19.5% |
21.0% |
10.5% |
23.0% |
26.0% |
| At the time of a later miscarriage. |
(151) |
33.8% |
28.5% |
10.6% |
11.3% |
15.9% |
| When I later tried to get pregnant. |
(181) |
24.3% |
24.3% |
11.0% |
19.9% |
20.4% |
| When exposed to pro-life propaganda. |
(242) |
8.3% |
9.9% |
5.0% |
38.8% |
38.0% |
| When exposed to pro-choice propaganda |
(227) |
10.6% |
15.0% |
9.3% |
31.3% |
33.9% |
| When exposed to information in the mass media about fetal development |
(239) |
7.1% |
8.4% |
7.9% |
34.3% |
42.3% |
After my abortion:
| |
(N) |
Strongly Disagree |
|
|
|
Strongly Agree |
| I felt more in touch with my emotions |
(247) |
37.7% |
36.4% |
14.2% |
6.1% |
5.7% |
| I felt a need to block out and stifle my feelings |
(250) |
3.2% |
6.8% |
10.8% |
35.2% |
44.0% |
| I needed to "force" myself to be happy |
(250) |
2.0% |
10.8% |
17.6% |
38.8% |
30.8% |
| I felt unable to grieve |
(248) |
8.5% |
17.7% |
13.7% |
35.1% |
25.0% |
| My attitude toward life became more calloused or hardened |
(245) |
5.3% |
11.4% |
17.6% |
35.5% |
30.2% |
| I felt more in control of my life |
(244) |
41.8% |
41.4% |
9.4% |
3.7% |
3.7% |
| I experienced a radical change in my ideals and moral beliefs. |
(237) |
8.4% |
17.7% |
29.5% |
21.5% |
22.8% |
