Assessment of depression, anxiety, and social support in the context of therapeutic abortion

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the levels of anxiety, depression, social support, and nursing care needed by women undergoing therapeutic abortion. Designs and Methods Sixty women were administered a sociodemographic form, the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale and the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale. Results More than half of the women experienced anxiety (61.7%). Anxiety scores were high (10.8 +/- 3.7), and most of the women had depression (85.0%). Social support from family and friends of the women decreased the women's anxiety and depression levels significantly; social support from their partners also decreased the women's anxiety levels (P < 0.05). Practice Implications Support from family and friends after therapeutic abortion is a fundamental affective variable on anxiety scores.