OBJECTIVE: This study investigated short-term re-experiencing and avoidance after elective surgical abortion. In addition, it was prospectively investigated whether peritraumatic dissociation and pre-abortion dissociative tendencies and alexithymia predict re-experiencing and avoidance. METHOD: In a prospective observational design, Dutch-speaking women presenting for first trimester elective surgical abortion completed self-report measures for dissociative tendency and alexithymia. Peritraumatic dissociation was measured immediately post-abortion. Re-experiencing and avoidance were measured 2 months post-abortion. RESULTS: Participants reported moderately elevated levels of re-experiencing and avoidance that exceeded a clinical cut-off point for 19.4% of the participants. Peritraumatic dissociation predicted intrusion and avoidance at 2 months. In addition, avoidance was predicted by the alexithymic aspect of difficulty describing feelings. CONCLUSIONS: Re-experiencing and avoidance after elective surgical abortion represent a significant clinical problem that is predicted by peritraumatic dissociation and alexithymia. Psychological screening and intervention might be a useful adjunct to elective abortion procedures. 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated short-term re-experiencing and avoidance after elective surgical abortion. In addition, it was prospectively investigated whether peritraumatic dissociation and pre-abortion dissociative tendencies and alexithymia predict re-experiencing and avoidance. METHOD: In a prospective observational design, Dutch-speaking women presenting for first trimester elective surgical abortion completed self-report measures for dissociative tendency and alexithymia. Peritraumatic dissociation was measured immediately post-abortion. Re-experiencing and avoidance were measured 2 months post-abortion. RESULTS:Participants reported moderately elevated levels of re-experiencing and avoidance that exceeded a clinical cut-off point for 19.4% of the participants. Peritraumatic dissociation predicted intrusion and avoidance at 2 months. In addition, avoidance was predicted by the alexithymic aspect of difficulty describing feelings. CONCLUSIONS: Re-experiencing and avoidance after elective surgical abortion represent a significant clinical problem that is predicted by peritraumatic dissociation and alexithymia. Psychological screening and intervention might be a useful adjunct to elective abortion procedures. 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Authors: Willem A van der Kloot; Neveen A T Hamdy; Laurian C S Hafkemeijer; Femke M C den Dulk; Sadhna A Chotkan; Arnold A P van Emmerik; Ad A Kaptein Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2010-09-09 Impact factor: 3.186