ArticlePloS one2018
Abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly: Psychometric properties of a German version of the individual level abortion stigma scale.
Article in PloS one, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 23 citations in OpenAlex.
- Abortion stigma among people seeking abortion care in high-income countries: a mixed-methods systematic review.Sexual and reproductive health matters · 2025Pooled it
- Termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly: a systematic review of the healthcare experiences and needs of parents.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2022Pooled it
- Article
- Structural barriers to medically indicated abortion in Germany: A qualitative study of provider perspectives.Reproductive health · 2025Article
- Termination of pregnancy for fetal malformations and severe genetic disorders: what are the laws in Europe?European journal of human genetics : EJHG · 2025Article
- Pregnancy loss following miscarriage and termination of pregnancy for medical reasons during the COVID-19 pandemic: a thematic analysis of women's experiences of healthcare on the island of Ireland.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2023Article
- 'The tabloid test': a qualitative interview study on the function and purpose of termination of pregnancy review committees in Victoria, Australia.Reproductive health · 2023Article
- Perception of the Saudi Population on Abortion Decisions in Congenital Fetal Anomalies.Cureus · 2022Article
- Article
- Exploring Experiences Responding to the Individual Level Abortion Stigma Scale: Methodological Considerations From In-depth Interviews.Frontiers in global women's health · 2021Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDiagnosis of fetal anomaly is a significant life event and social stigma can negatively impact on the well-being of women opting for an abortion. This study investigated the psychometric properties of a measure of stigma among women who had had an abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly in a German setting.
methodsThe Individual Level Abortion Stigma (ILAS) scale was translated into German. Psychometric properties of the ILAS scale were examined among 130 women with a history of an abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly. Individual and situational factors associated with stigma in the context of an abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly were explored.
resultsFactor analysis suggested a four-dimensional structure of the German version of the Individual Level Abortion Stigma scale (Cronbach's α, .83-.91), corresponding to the subscales of the original scale. Test-retest reliability was acceptable for the worries about judgment subscale, the self-judgment subscale, and the community condemnation subscale, but less convincing for the isolation subscale. Associations between the subscales and measures of depression, self-esteem and secrecy were found in directions consistent with theory. Women who did not perceive their fetus to have a low survival chance and women whose fetus was at higher gestational age reported higher levels of stigma, whereas higher perceived partner support was associated with lower levels of stigma. LIMITATION: Generalizability of study results was limited, as participants were recruited from one clinic in Germany and the study had a response rate of 46.5%.
conclusionsThe ILAS subscales are largely reliable and valid measures to assess stigma among women who have had an abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly. Suggestions for improving the assessment of stigma experienced in this population are outlined. The scales can be useful in research aiming at investigating psychological outcomes of abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly and improving care structures.
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