The Management of Voluntary Abortion in Family Counselling Services. A Qualitative Study on the Role of Social Workers in Italy

Introduction. Elective abortion has always been considered taboo. The event can sometimes be experienced as traumatic, the woman finds herself struggling against a range of emotions: fear, shame, ambivalence, and sense guilt. Multidisciplinary support is therefore fundamental to guide women during this complex phase, social workers usually play key role in process. present study aimed explore experiences perspectives who worked with decided have abortions, focusing on strongest weakest aspects their Methodology. involved 10 working family counselling services Italy. All them were female, mean age 47 years, 16.7 years experience field. followed qualitative approach, based semi-structured interviews that studied following principles thematic analysis. Results. Three themes emerged from data analysis: «Limits procedures organization»; «The emotional dimension elective abortion»; issue conscientious objectors». Discussion. highlighted how are facing crisis due lack resources, personnel, projects allowing for women’s proper sexual education support. It also showed worker’s role, which fundamental, instead reduced, especially regarding abortions. Moreover, there was sanitary contexts integration professional training would provide operators specific skills make feel prepared address such delicate situations. Conclusions. need new, multidisciplinary perspective voluntary interruption pregnancy major role. However, system still presents many shortcomings assistance. offers innovative practical suggestions properly fill these gaps.