The Psychosocial Aspects of Induced Abortion: Men in the Focus

Abstract

Although a man is as well concerned in each case of induced abortion as a woman is, the amount of existing studies that attempt to describe and gain insight into the psychological effects of induced abortion on men is extremely small, either when considering this number in itself or when comparing it to the number of related studies focusing on women. The present article gives an overview of the existing psychological knowledge of men’s perspective on induced abortion including their typical reactions; roles; participation in, and responsibility for, decision-making; and their impact on the female partner. Furthermore, a number of related but understudied issues are addressed.