Abstract

State governments in the US continue to pass legislation restricting access to abortion, suggesting that public opinion supports increased restriction. Research assessing the extent to which people’s abortion opinions are complex and nuanced (i.e., people’s opinions deviate from strictly pro-choice/pro-life stances) is lacking. Using an explanatory, sequential mixed-methods research design, the current study explores the complexity in people’s abortion opinions via two studies. Study 1 demonstrates the need for a more nuanced understanding of abortion attitudes, while Study 2 provides an initial assessment of potential complexity in people’s attitudes toward abortion. In Study 1, data from the General Social Survey (n = 1572) were used to examine responses to six abortion scenarios and assess demographic characteristics predictive of abortion opinions and complexity. In Study 2, surveys were administered to college students (n = 483) residing in politically conservative states asking about abortion self-identification and circumstances under which women should/should not have access. Data were analyzed using an inductive coding approach. According to Study 1, education, religious affiliation, living in a rural setting, and political affiliation were significantly related to abortion opinions and abortion complexity. According to Study 2, participants’ responses ranged widely. Pro-choice and pro-life identifying individuals cited numerous circumstances under which they believed women should/should not have access to abortion. Findings suggest that abortion opinions are highly complex and contextual. Although most recent legislation regarding abortion restricts and/or eliminates access, the majority of individuals remain somewhat or mostly in favor of access.