Men’s Perceptions Concerning Disclosure of a Partner’s Abortion: Implications for Counseling

Abstract

Utilizing an online survey, adult male partners of women who underwent induced abortion were queried concerning the men’s disclosure of the experience to others. Responses were obtained from 101 men who identified positive and negative aspects related to their disclosure. Positive aspects included: relief, spiritual benefits, support, acceptance, empathy, forgiveness, helping others, acknowledgment of child, and increased understanding. Negative aspects included: lack of empathy, pain of facing reality, lack of resolution, and condemnation. For this group of men, disclosure was perceived positively more often than negatively. Implications for counseling are discussed.