Abortion decision making by focusing: A preliminary study

Abstract

Objectives In 2005, 28,738 Dutch women underwent an abortion. Of this group, 10% were in doubt whether or not to have their pregnancy terminated. The author wished to show that focusing facilitates the decision-making process in such cases. Methods The article starts by describing the psychological consequences and accompanying problems of unplanned pregnancy. Thereafter the method of decision making by focusing is described. Two cases with verbatim transcription are given to illustrate the focusing process. The article ends with the presentation of the results of a small pilot survey concerning the method. Results The two case examples with verbatim transcriptions clarify the psychological process of decision making by using the method of focusing. The pilot survey shows that 16 of the 22 women (73%) were happy with the focusing method which suited them to various degrees (from ‘somewhat’ to ‘very much’), and which helped them making the final decision (from ‘somewhat’ to ‘totally’). For 18 of the women (82%) the approach differed from the discussions they had had previously with other people. Conclusion Decision making by focusing is promising, and further research is recommended.