[Expectant mothers--women seeking abortions, a sociopsychiatric comparison in Umeå?].

: A study is reported which relates socioeconomic factors to the frequency of abortion. 118 expectant mothers were compared with 399 women in the same age range who underwent abortion. The largest percentage, 49%, of the women seeking abortion belonged to the social group (after SCB) II during childhood, while 53% of the expectant mothers belonged to social group III. A significantly larger percentage of the women seeking abortion came from broken homes. A subjective evaluation of home life showed that more childhood family conflicts occurred among the women seeking abortion. Gainfully employed women and women with stable living conditions were more likely to bear their children. 44% of the women seeking abortion were between 20-30, the traditional childbearing age, which may indicate a change in the women's attitiude of their role in society.