Thesis (M.A.)--University of Southern California, 2006. / Adviser: William Celis. Includes bibliographical references.

Abortion can be a significant event in a woman's life. Some women are found to be affected by severe negative psychological complications following abortion. A synthesis of the current research on post abortion grief and support implications was conducted for this literature review. Those women who have ineffective coping post abortion were described to have dysfunctional grief. The uniqueness of the loss and the stigma attached to abortion, which has prevented women from seeking help, contributes to the dysfunctional grief. Screening and assessment of women have been found to be beneficial in identifying those who were suffering. Validation of the feelings that women ' express has been cited in the literature as one of the most significant supportive interventions that can be provided to women who are coping ineffectively. Education can be helpful in guiding nurses, practitioners, and students to evaluate, and provide support for women who are grieving ineffectively, thus initiating healthy grieving in this population. The implications for nurses to assess for pregnancy loss, educate and promote healthy grieving in women are supported by this literature review.