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Research on Social Work Practice
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Postabortion Grief: Evaluating the Possible Efficacy of a Spiritual Group Intervention

Susan Dyer Layer

University of South Florida

Cleora Roberts

University of South Florida

Kelli Wild

University of South Florida

Jan Walters

University of South Florida

Objective: Although not every woman is negatively affected by an abortion, researchers have identified a subgroup of women susceptible to grief and trauma. The primary providers for postabortion grief (PAG) groups are community faith-based agencies. Principle features of PAG are shame and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Method: This study measured the efficacy of a spiritually based grief group intervention for women grieving an abortion. Thirty-five women completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised(IES-R) and the Internalized Shame Scale (ISS) pre- and postintervention along with posttest open-ended questions. Results: Postintervention measures indicated significant decrease in shame (p < .000) and PTSD symptoms (p < .002). More than 80% reported their religious beliefs and the spiritual intervention played a strong to very strong role in the group. Conclusion: Social workers need to screen for PAG with a postabortive woman and when appropriate refer her to agencies offering such groups.

Key Words: postabortion grief • spirituality • group intervention • shame • faith-based agencies

Research on Social Work Practice, Vol. 14, No. 5, 344-350 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/1049731504265829
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Home page
 J Transcult NursHome page
R. F. Hess
Women's Stories of Abortion in Southern Gabon, Africa
J Transcult Nurs, January 1, 2007; 18(1): 41 - 48.
[Abstract] [PDF]