Understanding mental health before and after elective pregnancy termination
Official title: Sociocultural context and mental health around an unintended pregnancy
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-10911796 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how having an elective termination of pregnancy affects the mental health of women and their families, while also considering how social and cultural factors play a role, so we can better support those going through this experience.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $143,376 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD111675-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911796 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include women who are considering or have undergone an elective termination of pregnancy, particularly those from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not considering an elective termination or those who have not experienced any mental health challenges related to pregnancy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how mental health is affected before and after an elective termination of pregnancy, focusing on the influence of sociocultural factors. It aims to gather data on the mental health experiences of women and their families during this process, considering the changes in societal attitudes and policies over the past 30 years. By examining diverse populations and their unique contexts, the study seeks to identify patterns and provide insights that could enhance mental health support for those undergoing elective terminations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health support and resources for women and families facing elective terminations.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited research on this topic in the past, this study aims to build on a very small body of existing work, making it a novel investigation into the sociocultural impacts on mental health around elective terminations.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Steinberg, Julia Renee — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Steinberg, Julia Renee
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Pregnancy-focused dialectical behavior skills to support two generations
A new program tests whether teaching pregnant people emotion-regulation skills can improve the health and well‑being of both the mother and her baby, from pregnancy through early infancy.
-
Improving mental health during pregnancy to benefit mothers and infants
This study is testing a new therapy to help pregnant women feel better emotionally, which can be good for both their mental health and their baby's health, by offering supportive group sessions that teach helpful skills for managing feelings during pregnancy.
-
How air pollution during pregnancy affects fetal growth over time
This study looks at how air pollution affects the growth of babies in the womb during pregnancy, using ultrasound images to track changes over time, and it aims to help expectant parents understand when their babies might be most at risk from pollution.
-
An integrated mobile health program to reduce SAVA and mental health problems among female sex workers in Kenya
A new mobile health program aims to help female sex workers in Kenya avoid substance abuse, violence, HIV, and depression by delivering group therapy, online resources, and a peer discussion space.
-
Postoperative Pain Guidelines for Pregnancy: Safer, Patient-Centered Opioid Use
We’re creating patient-friendly guidelines to help doctors manage pain after delivery and surgery in pregnant people, aiming to reduce opioid overuse and improve safety.
-
Adolescent girls in Uganda: a long-term look at how money empowerment and family support affect HIV prevention, care, and mental health
A long-term study in rural Uganda will test whether an intervention that combines economic empowerment and family strengthening can help HIV-negative and HIV-affected adolescent girls move safely into young adulthood.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.