HER NAME IS GRACE: A Faith-based Support Group for Troubled Pregnancies – Pre and Post Abortion Público
Debrough, Marleena (Spring 2025)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
HER NAME IS GRACE:
A Faith Based Support Group for Troubled Pregnancies –
Pre and Post Abortion
Marleena Debrough
Introduction/Background: I met several women who experienced a troubled pregnancy. They were all frightened, young, and unwedded. Trying to avoid further guilt and shame they would possibly encounter from their families, churches, and communities, they made a drastic decision to abort their babies; however, guilt and shame from the abortion procedure haunted them for years. All these women, from various states, presented to my context for pastoral care, and several of them felt if they had emotional and financial support, they would not have aborted their children. It is from this experience of witnessing their emotional pain that this study was birth.
Purpose/Objective: In the absence of medical risk to the mother and child and the absence of violence, how can a faith-based support group address troubled pregnancies for women 13-45 years old in the State of Pennsylvania? Can guilt, shame, and the lack of emotional and financial support be the catalyst for an abortion? Are there any best practices available today that aid in treating troubled pregnancies? This study will attempt to identify the influences and results of an abortion to validify the need for a women’s support program addressing their emotional and financial concerns.
Methods: The design method used was a qualitative interview process addressing the problems confronting troubled pregnancies. It assessed statistical data for abortions, abortion laws, criminal consequences, health risks for unsafe abortions, psychological effects with some women, and best practices already existing.
Results/Conclusion: The findings indicated that Pennsylvania had 35,412 abortions in its latest report of 2023 indicating many troubled pregnancies of diverse ages, races, and incomes. Laws, criminal consequences, and states with strong abortion bans caused more risks for abortions and greater medical harm for troubled pregnancies. Psychological problems only affected 5-10% of women who aborted; therefore, guilt and shame were not a catalyst for an abortion but an aftereffect. Lastly, there were some support ministries available but varied in what they offered. Therefore, the results of this study identified the need for more women support groups to assist troubled pregnancies financially, emotionally, and physically in hopes of healing the broken.
Table of Contents
About this Dissertation
| School | |
|---|---|
| Department | |
| Degree | |
| Submission | |
| Language |
|
| Research Field | |
| Palabra Clave | |
| Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor |
Primary PDF
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
HER NAME IS GRACE: A Faith-based Support Group for Troubled Pregnancies – Pre and Post Abortion () | 2025-04-30 11:04:24 -0400 |
|
Supplemental Files
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
|---|