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An Examination of Intimate Partner Violence and Psychological Stressors in Adult Abortion Patients

NCJ Number
241808
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 26 Issue: 16 Dated: November 2011 Pages: 3248-3266
Author(s)
Gretchen E. Ely, Ph.D.; Melanie D. Otis, Ph.D.
Date Published
November 2011
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this article is to describe an exploratory study examining the relationship between intimate partner violence and psychological stressors in a sample of 188 adult abortion patients.
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to describe an exploratory study examining the relationship between intimate partner violence and psychological stressors in a sample of 188 adult abortion patients. Results indicate the almost 15 percent of respondents report a history of abuse by the coconceiving partner. In addition, women who reported having had one or more past abortions were more likely to also report that the person involved in the current pregnancy had also emotionally abused them. Women reporting one type of partner abuse were significantly more likely to also report other types of abuse. Women reporting abuse were less likely to report informing their coconceiving partner of their appointment at the clinic, less likely to report that their partner contributed financially to the abortion cost, and more likely to report partner refusal to wear a condom. Women who reported emotional abuse were more likely to score higher on all but one of the psychological stressor scales. The implications of these findings are discussed. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.