Rwanda J Med Health Sci. 2025 Jul 31;8(2):398-419. doi: 10.4314/rjmhs.v8i2.19. eCollection 2025 Jul.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Emotional support following legal pregnancy termination is a fundamental aspect of comprehensive healthcare. Existing literature points to gaps in psychological care packages offered to women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This integrative review extends beyond prior syntheses by incorporating digital interventions, relational dynamics, and community-based support, which are often overlooked, especially in low-resource settings. It highlights critical gaps in service integration, cultural sensitivity, and emotional care for underrepresented populations, such as adolescents and women in stigmatizing environments. To advance the field, future research should explore scalable, culturally grounded interventions that promote long-term psychological well-being following termination of pregnancy. This review evaluates evidence-based psychological support interventions designed to enhance mental health outcomes for women after pregnancy termination.
METHODS: An integrative review and thematic synthesis were conducted, adhering to Whittemore and Knafl’s (2005) framework. Searches were performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, and PsycINFO. Eligibility criteria included peer-reviewed publications from 2013 to 2023 focusing on psychological support programs. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tool, and thematic synthesis followed a convergent integrated approach.
RESULTS: Empirical studies (n=13) were included. Data screening and extraction, conducted via COVIDENCE, achieved a reliability score of 63% based on Cohen’s Kappa measure. Three primary themes emerged: (1) holistic psychosocial support for women after prenatal loss, (2) strengthening community support and reducing stigma around abortion experiences, and (3) enhancing post-abortion recovery through digital, familial, and comprehensive support networks.
CONCLUSION: Post-termination psychological care plays a critical role in promoting mental well-being. Personalized interventions, encompassing counseling and community-driven support systems, are essential in reducing emotional distress and fostering recovery.
PMID:40989196 | PMC:PMC12451782 | DOI:10.4314/rjmhs.v8i2.19
