Ana Hodges | 2026 I.S. Symposium
±·²¹³¾±ð:ÌýAna Hodges
Title: Retroactive Anxiety and Abortion Outcomes: Exploring the Impact of Psychosocial Burden and Marianismo in Latinas​​
Major: Psychology
Minor: Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies
Pathway: Public Health
Advisor: Alyssa Clark
Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, abortion restrictions have intensified in the United States and are disproportionately impacting women of color, including Latinas, heightening psychological burdens (Abrams, 2023; Mulvihill, 2024). This study uses a Latina Critical Theory lens to understand the intersecting challenges Latinas navigate and apply them to their abortion seeking experiences. This mixed-method study examines how psychosocial burden in seeking abortion care influences retroactive anxiety among U.S. Latinas. Additionally, this study evaluates the relationship between abortion outcomes (received vs. denied) and retroactive anxiety and if this relationship is moderated by marianismo — a cultural construct emphasizing familismo (interdependence with family), respeto (respect for hierarchical roles), and simpatia (maintaining harmonious relationships; Castillo et al., 2010). Of this study’s 120 participants, 45.80% were denied an abortion and 54.20% had received an abortion (N=55, N=65). Results suggest that higher psychosocial burden accessing an abortion is associated with retroactive anxiety. Further results indicate that receiving or being denied an abortion does not play a role in retroactive anxiety, and that marianismo does not contribute any further to the relationship between abortion outcome and retroactive anxiety. Participant narratives highlighted that Latina women encounter challenges when seeking their abortion like family, cultural and religious pressures as well as structural barriers. Additionally, participant qualitative reflections highlight the role marianismo plays in cultivating internalized and external expectations to behave in ‘Latina’ ways that are incompatible with abortion seeking. Results illuminate the need for accessible care, reducing burden, and addressing cultural norms to mitigate any long-term mental health impacts of abortion experiences.
Posted in Symposium 2026 on May 1, 2026.
