Stigma and its influencing factors among women with termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the level of stigma and identify its influencing factors among women with termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly(TOPFA) in China.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study design.

Setting and participants: A total of 469 women with TOPFA were recruited from a tertiary care hospital in China using a convenience sampling method.

Measurement and findings: Women with TOPFA participating in the study completed the Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire, Individual Level Abortion Stigma Scale(ILASS), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire- II scale(AQQ- II), Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire scale (CFQ), Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale(MPSS), Responses to Stress Questionnaire (RSQ). Women with TOPFA reported moderate levels of stigma(1.49±0.60). Multiple linear regression showed that correlates influencing their stigma included gestational age (β =0.103, P < 0.05), psychological flexibility (β =-0.319, P < 0.01), social support(β =-0.190, P < 0.01), and disengagement coping(β =0.148, P < 0.05).

Key conclusion and implication for practice: Gestational age and disengagement coping are positive predictors of stigma, but psychological flexibility and social support are negative predictors of stigma. Further attention should focus on developing targeted intervention strategies to improve protective and reduce harmful factors to confront the stigma-related challenges faced by women with TOPFA.

Keywords: Abortion; Coping strategies; Fetal anomaly; Psychological flexibility; Social support; Stigma.