Stigma Toward Women Who Have Had an Induced Abortion and Associated Variables

Abstract

Stigma toward women who have had an induced abortion was measured in 458 adult Mexicans and was related to the respondents’ place of residence, religiosity, beliefs about motherhood, ambivalent sexism, age, and personal acquaintance with a woman who had aborted. All participants completed a set of questionnaires that were validated in Mexico. The variables that predicted stigma were religiosity, hostile sexism, age, and beliefs about motherhood as giving meaning to life. The results of this study could facilitate designing strategies to reduce such stigma and its negative consequences on the psychological and physical health of women who have aborted.