Reciprocal relationship between abortion stigma and depressive symptoms among women who underwent termination of pregnancy for fetal anomalies: a cross-lagged panel study

Abstract Introduction This study aimed to examine the interactions between abortion stigma and depressive symptoms among women who underwent termination of pregnancy for fetal anomalies over time. Methods This study is a longitudinal, observational study with two measurement points. A total of 241 women with fetal anomalies filled out the Individual Level Abortion Stigma Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale before and after terminating pregnancy. Cross-lagged panel analysis was conducted to analyze the interactions between abortion stigma and depressive symptoms over time. Results The level of abortion stigma before terminating pregnancy positively influenced depressive symptoms after terminating pregnancy (β = 0.12, P