The effect of wound electrical stimulation in venous leg ulcer healing-a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The benefit of using electric stimulation therapy (EST) to heal venous leg ulcers (VLUs) is not well established. The main aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of ulcer EST in VLU healing. METHODS: A systematic search of the literature was conducted using the databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science and included original studies that reported VLU healing after EST. The inclusion criteria were at least two surface electrodes placed on or near the wound or a planar probe covering the ulcer area to be treated. The Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized control trials (RCTs) and Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for case series were used to evaluate the risk of bias. RESULTS: This review included eight RCTs and three case series involving a total of 724 limbs in 716 patients with VLUs. The mean patient age was 64.2 years (95% confidence interval, 62.3-66.2), and 46.2% (95% confidence interval, 41.2%-50.4%) were men. The active electrode was placed on the wound with the passive electrode placed on healthy skin (n = 6), the two electrodes were placed on either side of the wound edges (n = 4), or a planar probe was used (n = 1). The pulsed current was the most used waveform (n = 9). The change in the ulcer size was the main method used to determine ulcer healing (n = 8), followed by the ulcer healing rate (n = 6), exudate levels (n = 4), and the time to healing (n = 3). Five RCTs detected a statistically significant improvement in at least one VLU healing outcome, after EST compared with the control group. In two of these, EST was better than the control but only for patients who had not undergone surgical treatment of VLU. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from the present systematic review support the use of EST to accelerate wound healing of VLUs, especially for patients who are not surgical candidates. However, the significant variation in electric stimulation protocols represents an important limitation to its use and should be addressed in future studies.

Dysfunctional Attitudes Toward Motherhood and Depressive Symptoms in Portuguese Pregnant Women During COVID-19 Pandemic: the Mediating Roles of Self-Compassion and Mindful Self-Care.

Objectives: There is evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a negative impact on the mental health of pregnant women, such as an increase in the prevalence of depression. Given the negative consequences that depressive symptoms can pose for pregnant women, it is crucial to understand how cognitive processes influence women's depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among this specific vulnerable population. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between pregnant women's dysfunctional attitudes toward motherhood and their depressive symptoms, considering the mediating roles of self-compassion and mindful self-care. Method: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Portugal between October 2020 and April 2021. A sample of 244 pregnant women answered a set of questionnaires to assess dysfunctional attitudes toward motherhood, depressive symptoms, self-compassion, and mindful self-care. Results: More dysfunctional attitudes toward motherhood were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, and this relation was mediated through self-compassion and mindful self-care. Conclusions: These results highlight that self-compassion and mindful self-care are important psychological mechanisms and the importance of considering them in psychological interventions to prevent and/or treat depressive symptoms in pregnant women with dysfunctional attitudes toward motherhood during stressful events such as a pandemic.

Exploring the ability of strength and dexterity tests to detect hand function impairment in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) can affect hand function since the beginning of the motor symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To compare the ability of different hand function tests to: 1) distinguish individuals with PD from healthy controls; 2) differentiate stages of the disease; and 3) indicate changes over time due to disease progression. METHODS: Twenty-four individuals with PD (Hoehn and Yahr: I-III) and 24 age- and sex-matched controls performed the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), and the maximum grip and the maximum pinch strength tests using their right and left hands. Eight individuals with PD (six females and two males) were reassessed after 18 months. The ROC analyses and Mann-Whitney U tests (for disease progression) using the average performance of the hands were done. RESULTS: Individuals with PD presented worse test performances than controls, except for the writing subtest of the JTHFT and the grip strength test. The JTHFT without the writing subtest (JTHFTnoW) was the most accurate to discriminate PD from controls (AUC = 0.899; sensitivity 75% and specificity 95.8%). The 9HPT and the simulated feeding and moving large, light objects JTHFT subtests were sensitive to distinguish stages, while the 9HPT, the moving small, common objects JTHFT subtest, and the grip strength were sensitive to changes with disease progression. CONCLUSION: The JTHFTnoW was highly discriminative of the hand function impairments in PD. TwoJTHFT subtests were the most sensitives to distinguish PD stages (i.e. simulated feeding JTHFT subtest) and disease progression (i.e. moving small, common objects JTHFT subtest).

Exploring factors associated with complete mental health of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To explore a wide range of factors associated with complete mental health (i.e., positive mental health - the presence of flourishing, and the absence of mental illness - depressive and anxious symptoms) among Portuguese pregnant women, during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Quantitative cross-sectional study. SETTING: Data were collected through an online survey placed on social media websites targeting pregnant Portuguese adult women between October 2020 and April 2021. PARTICIPANTS: The sample comprised 207 pregnant women. RESULTS: A multivariate logistic regression model showed that higher levels of self-compassion and higher engagement in mindful self-care practices increased the likelihood of reporting complete mental health during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Promoting self-compassion and mindful self-care may be particularly important in pregnant women, as these psychological factors appear to contribute to complete mental health during COVID-19 pandemic. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The COVID-19 pandemic represented a demanding period for pregnant women. Our findings highlight that targeting the promotion of self-compassion and mindful self-care practices during stressful periods could significantly contribute to their overall mental health.

Explaining Parenting Stress among Adoptive Parents: The Contribution of Mindfulness, Psychological Flexibility, and Self-Compassion.

Although parenting stress has been identified as one of the most important and highly acceptable targets for postadoption psychological intervention, knowledge regarding the modifiable factors that contribute to explaining this outcome among adoptive parents remains scarce. This study aimed to explore whether and to what extent adoptive parents' mindfulness, psychological flexibility, and self-compassion contribute to explaining parenting stress and to analyze whether this contribution varies according to children's age, time passed since the adoptive placement, and the parents' gender. Cross-sectional data from 302 Portuguese adoptive parents with children between 1 and 17 years old were collected online through self-response questionnaires. Controlling for a wide range of child-, adoption-, and parent-related variables, lower levels of mindfulness, psychological flexibility, and self-compassion were associated with higher levels of parenting stress. These associations were not moderated by children's age, time passed since the adoptive placement, or the parents' gender. The final regression model explained 50% of the variance in parenting stress. These results allow us to reflect on new guidelines for both preventive and remedial interventions with adoptive parents, given the apparent added value of promoting these psychological resources.

Post-Adoption Help-Seeking in Portugal: A Comprehensive Study on Parental Difficulties and Help-Seeking Behaviors and Perceptions.

Effective psychological parenting interventions delivered to adoptive parents may prevent serious adjustment difficulties and promote a healthy functioning; however, less is known about adoptive parents' specific parental difficulties and help-seeking behaviors and perceptions, the understanding of which is deemed necessary to design well-informed interventions. This study aimed to describe parental difficulties, help-seeking behaviors, satisfaction with, and perceived barriers to seek, professional help, and acceptability of psychological parenting interventions among Portuguese adoptive parents. Comparisons with biological parents (Study 1) and between adoptive parents that requested adoption-specialized and non-specialized support (i.e., adoption-specialized vs. non-specialized help-seekers) (Study 2) were explored. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted. Participants were 471 adoptive and 552 biological parents of children aged under 18 years who were recruited through schools, adoption agencies, and social networks. They completed measures assessing parental difficulties, help-seeking behaviors, satisfaction with, and perceived barriers to seek, professional help, and acceptability of psychological parenting interventions. Comparison tests between the study groups, Pearson's correlations, analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) and multivariate logistic regressions (MLR) were performed. Parents' well-being and normative parenting challenges were the most frequent difficulties in both groups, but only associated with adoptive parents' help-seeking. Although difficulties related to a child's problems/parent-child relationship were more frequent among adoptive parents, adoption-related difficulties were rarely reported. Adoptive parents sought professional help more frequently, regardless of parental difficulties. Knowledge-related barriers to seeking help were the most frequent among adoptive parents. Adoption non-specialized help was less satisfactory. Acceptability of psychological parenting interventions was high, but dependent on parental difficulties. Implications for post-adoption services' development are discussed.

How Can Unintended Pregnancies Be Prevented among Adolescents Who Engaged in Sexual Intercourse at Earlier Ages? The Role of Female Education and Partner Age Difference.

Several studies have identified explicative factors for adolescents' sexual risk behaviors and related outcomes such as unintended pregnancy; however, less is known about the mechanisms through which such factors act. Our study explored the role of female education and partner age difference as explicative mechanisms of the association between age at first sexual intercourse (AFSI) and unintended pregnancy while controlling for the role of other contextual factors (i.e., socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religious beliefs, and place of residence) and sexual-related mechanisms (i.e., number of sexual partners) that are known to be associated with adolescent pregnancy. The sample consisted of 613 sexually experienced female adolescents who did not intend to become pregnant: 349 were pregnant for the first time, and 264 had never been pregnant. Mediation and moderation analyses were performed. An earlier AFSI was associated with unintended pregnancy 1-6 years after first sexual intercourse by increasing the adolescents' likelihood of having less education and being involved with partners older than themselves. There was no significant direct effect of AFSI on pregnancy occurrence after controlling for the mediators. Our findings bring to light nonsexual mechanisms that must be considered in public health interventions aimed at preventing unintended pregnancies among adolescents who engaged in sexual intercourse at early ages. Specific implications are discussed.

Heart and brain interactions in heart failure: Cognition, depression, anxiety, and related outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression are common in heart failure (HF) patients and its evolution is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES: To assess the cognitive status of HF patients over time, its relation to anxiety and depression, and its prognostic impact. METHODS: Prospective, longitudinal, single center study including patients enrolled in a structured program for follow-up after hospital admission for HF decompensation. Cognitive function, anxiety/depression state, HF-related quality of life (QoL) were assessed before discharge and during follow-up (between 6th and 12th month) using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, respectively. HF related outcomes were all cause readmissions, HF readmissions and the composite endpoint of all-cause readmissions or death. RESULTS: 43 patients included (67±11.3 years, 69% male); followed-up for 8.2±2.1 months. 25.6% had an abnormal MoCA score that remained stable during follow-up (22.6±4.2 vs. 22.2±5.5; p=NS). MoCA score <22 at discharge conferred a sixfold greater risk of HF readmission [HR=6.42 (1.26-32.61); p=0.025], also predicting all-cause readmissions [HR=4.00 (1.15-13.95); p=0.03] and death or all-cause readmissions [HR=4.63 (1.37-15.67); p=0.014]. Patients with higher MoCA score showed a greater ability to deal with their disease (p=0.038). At discharge, 14% and 18.6% had an abnormal HADS score for depression and anxiety, respectively, which remained stable during follow-up and was not related to MoCA. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive function, anxiety and depressive status remain stable in HF patients despite optimized HF therapy. Cognitive status shall be routinely screened to adopt attitudes that improve management as it has an impact on HF-related QoL and prognosis.

Neuroplasticity induced by the retention period of a complex motor skill learning in rats.

Learning complex motor skills is an essential process in our daily lives. Moreover, it is an important aspect for the development of therapeutic strategies that refer to rehabilitation processes since motor skills previously acquired can be transferred to similar tasks (motor skill transfer) or recovered without further practice after longer delays (motor skill retention). Different acrobatic exercise training (AE) protocols induce plastic changes in areas involved in motor control and improvement in motor performance. However, the plastic mechanisms involved in the retention of a complex motor skill, essential for motor learning, are not well described. Thus, our objective was to analyze the brain plasticity mechanisms involved in motor skill retention in AE . Motor behavior tests, and the expression of synaptophysin (SYP), synapsin-I (SYS), and early growth response protein 1 (Egr-1) in brain areas involved in motor learning were evaluated. Young male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sedentary (SED), AE, and AE with retention period (AER). AE was performed three times a week for 8 weeks, with 5 rounds in the circuit. After a fifteen-day retention interval, the AER animals was again exposed to the acrobatic circuit. Our results revealed motor performance improvement in the AE and AER groups. In the elevated beam test, the AER group presented a lower time and greater distance, suggesting retention period is important for optimizing motor learning consolidation. Moreover, AE promoted significant plastic changes in the expression of proteins in important areas involved in control and motor learning, some of which were maintained in the AER group. In summary, these data contribute to the understanding of neural mechanisms involved in motor learning in an animal model, and can be useful to the construction of therapeutics strategies that optimize motor learning in a rehabilitative context.

Ineffective Pregnancy Prevention During Adolescence: Assisting Healthcare Providers in Portugal With Individualized Risk Assessment.

In this study, we describe the relative contributions of and interactions between individual risk factors associated with ineffective pregnancy prevention among female adolescents in Portugal. Our sample consisted of 856 sexually experienced female adolescents (10-19 years) who did not intend to become pregnant. Of these, 379 were pregnant, and the residual (477) had never been pregnant. We used classification tree analysis to describe the interplay among a set of established sociodemographic, familial, reproductive, and relationship factors as predictors of ineffective pregnancy prevention. The tree model showed good predictive properties. Seven profiles predicted one-half to all the cases of ineffective pregnancy prevention. Ineffective pregnancy prevention was predicted by adolescents' grade level and different combinations of variables, specifically female age, age at the time of first sexual intercourse, religious beliefs, place of residence, maternal pregnancy before age 20, household structure in childhood, and partner's age difference. According to our findings, limiting assessments to the cumulative presence of risk factors may be insufficient to accurately identify adolescents at elevated risk of unwanted pregnancy, as the impact of any given risk factor may vary according to other factors. Our findings may contribute to the development of a risk assessment tool that may support healthcare providers' efforts to provide individualized risk assessment for adolescent patients and, thus, to better support pregnancy prevention.

Sociodemographic, sexual, and reproductive variables associated with pregnancy among adolescents from low socioeconomic background.

Adolescent pregnancy remains a public health concern in both developed and developing countries. Portugal and Brazil represent some of the best examples of this phenomenon. The present study aimed to identify sociodemographic, sexual, and reproductive health-related variables associated with adolescent pregnancy among students from low socioeconomic backgrounds in both countries. The sample included 984 female adolescents, among whom 215 became pregnant. Living with a partner and lack of information about sex and contraception from the family were the best explicative factors for pregnancy occurrence in both countries. Country-specific variables were also identified. Our results may contribute to developing global preventive interventions, addressing the school as an ideal setting for primary intervention and considering culture-specific characteristics of high-risk populations.

Decision-making trajectories leading to termination of an unplanned pregnancy: specificities among adolescent and adult women.

Objective: To describe the decision-making trajectories leading to termination of an unplanned pregnancy and to explore the differences according to women's age. Background: Although decision-making regarding abortion has been conceptualised as a multiphase event, the different trajectories leading to termination of an unplanned pregnancy remain unexplored. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 422 women (248 adolescents, 174 adults) who had an abortion were recruited. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires at 16 Portuguese healthcare services. Results: Eight decision-making trajectories leading to termination of an unplanned pregnancy were identified according to the sequence: consideration (or not) to continue the pregnancy, conceal (or not) the decision from the family, the main decision-maker, and reasons for abortion. The most frequent trajectory included women who did not consider its continuation, did not conceal the reproductive decision from their family, were the main decision-maker and referred as reasons for abortion 'education/job would be more difficult to continue'. Adolescents more frequently not considering pregnancy continuation, not concealing the decision from their family and referred as reasons for abortion the prioritisation of their academic plans and immaturity; or considering its continuation, but were pressured into abortion by their parents. Adults more frequently (not) considering pregnancy continuation, concealed the decision from their family and reported economic reasons for abortion; or considering its continuation, but were pressured into abortion by their partners. Conclusion: Our study may contribute to more informed intervention by healthcare providers involved in supporting women's decisions, highlighting the need to promote an informed, weighted, developmentally adapted and free decision-making process.

Profiles of hospitalized patients with valvular heart disease: Experience of a tertiary center.

INTRODUCTION: Valvular heart disease (VHD) is increasing worldwide, mostly because of aging. Percutaneous valve intervention is the preferred therapeutic option in high-risk patients. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the profiles of patients with VHD admitted to the cardiology ward at a tertiary referral center. METHODS: On the basis of ICD-9 codes for VHD, the discharge notes of 287 patients hospitalized over a 22-month period were reviewed and analyzed. One hundred characteristics were considered. RESULTS: Median age was 74 (23-93) years, and 145 (51%) were male. The admissions were elective (for valve intervention) in 36%. Heart failure (HF) was the reason for urgent admissions in 29.3%. Multiple comorbidities were observed in 53% of patients. Etiology of VHD was degenerative in 68%, functional in 15.3% and rheumatic (predominantly in women and younger patients) in 8.7%. Aortic valve disease was present in 63% (aortic stenosis in 56%), and was associated with HF (p=0.004), atrial fibrillation (AF) (p=0.01), and left ventricular (LV) dilatation (p=0.003) or hypertrophy (p<0.001). Mitral valve disease (51%), mostly mitral regurgitation (degenerative or functional), predominated in women, and was associated with HF, AF, LV dilatation (p<0.001) and reduced LV ejection fraction (p=0.003). Significant tricuspid regurgitation (34.8%) associated with the presence of previously implanted cardiac devices (p<0.001). Valve intervention (mostly transcatheter aortic valve implantation) was performed in 41% of patients. Mean length of hospital stay was 12±14.3 days and overall in-hospital mortality was 9.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Nowadays, the profiles of hospitalized patients with VHD are dominated by the elderly, with degenerative disease and multiple comorbidities, presenting with HF, AF and LV remodeling, who frequently undergo valve intervention, usually via a percutaneous approach. Mortality remains significant in this high-risk population.

Motor improvement requires an increase in presynaptic protein expression and depends on exercise type and age.

The aging process is associated with structural and functional changes in the nervous system. Considering that exercise can improve the quality of life of the elderly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise protocols with different motor demands on synaptic protein expression (i.e., synapsin-I and synaptophysin). Cognitive and motor brain areas and the motor performance of adult and aged animals were analyzed. Adult (7 months old) and aged (18 months old) male Wistar rats were used. Animals were divided into the following groups: treadmill exercise (TE, rhythmic motor activity), acrobatic exercise (AE, complex motor activity) and sedentary (SED, control). The animals were exposed to exercise 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The brains were collected for immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting assays. Our results showed that both types of exercise induced changes in motor performance and synaptic protein expression in adult and aged animals. However, acrobatic exercise promoted a greater number of changes, mainly in the aged animals. In addition, protein expression changes occurred in a greater number of brain areas in the aged animals than in adult animals. There were clear increases in synapsin-I expression in all areas analyzed of aged animals only after acrobatic exercises. On the other hand, synaptophysin increased in the same areas but with both types of exercise. Thus, in general, our data suggest that even at advanced ages, when the aging process is already in progress, initiating physical training may be beneficial to generate neuroplasticity that can improve motor performance.

Morpho-anatomical, physiological and biochemical changes in rubber tree seeds.

The physical, physiological and biochemical changes during the development until the dispersal of rubber tree seeds were evaluated with the purpose of estimating the point at physiological maturity. A total of 30 plants were selected at different points in a commercial planting area and had their flowers marked during the anthesis and every 15 days after marking. Fruits and seeds were collected for analysis of moisture content, dry matter, diameter and length. Details of the anatomy ultra-structure of the seeds were evaluated. The seed emergence, emergency speed index, heat resistant proteins and oxidative stress enzymes were examined. It was observed that fruits reached maximum size at 120 days after anthesis and seeds at 150 days. The seeds acquired germination capacity after 150 days. At 175 days, they presented the highest percentage of dry matter and lowest moisture, in addition to a higher percentage of germination and vigor. Therefore, it was possible to conclude that the physiological maturity of the rubber tree seeds occurs at 175 days after anthesis, and coincides with its maximum physiological quality. At 175 and 180 days post-anthesis, there is a greater expression of heat resistant proteins as well as low molecular weight and greater oxidative stress enzyme activity.

Reproductive and relational trajectories leading to pregnancy: Differences between adolescents and adult women who had an abortion.

OBJECTIVES: The literature has been conceptualizing pregnancy occurrence as a multiphase event. However, the different combinations of decisions and behaviors leading to pregnancy that end in abortion remain unexplored in the literature. The aims of the study were to describe the reproductive and relational trajectories leading to pregnancy in women who decide to abort and to explore the differences in this process according to women's age [adolescents (<20 years old) vs. adults]. STUDY DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, 426 women [246 adolescents (58.4%), 177 adults (41.6%)] who chose abortion were recruited. Data on reproductive and relational characteristics were collected through a self-report questionnaire at 16 healthcare services that provide abortion. The variables were introduced in trajectories according to the criterion of temporal sequence between them: age at first sexual intercourse, relationship type, pregnancy planning, use of contraception, identification of contraceptive failure, and occurrence of pregnancy. RESULTS: Seven trajectories leading to pregnancy were identified. The most frequent trajectory (30.8%) included women who 1) were involved in a long-term romantic relationship, 2) did not plan the pregnancy, 3) were using contraception, and 4) did not identify the contraceptive failure that led to pregnancy. Although this was the most frequent trajectory for both age groups, the remaining trajectories showed a different distribution. Compared to adolescents, adult women's trajectories more frequently included casual relationships with non-use of contraception, or contraceptive use with no contraceptive failure identification. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the need to recognize the multiplicity of reproductive and relational trajectories leading to pregnancies that end in abortion and their specificities according to women's age. These findings have important implications for abortion counselling and for the development of age-appropriate guidelines for preventive interventions, by drawing attention to prioritization of different contexts of intervention according women's age.

The influence of a real job on upper limb performance in motor skill tests: which abilities are transferred?

To investigate whether the specificities of real jobs create distinctions in the performance of workers in different motor tests for the upper limbs, 24 participants were divided into two groups according to their specific job: fine and repetitive tasks and general tasks. Both groups reproduced tasks related to aiming movements, handling and strength of the upper limbs. There were no significant differences between groups in the dexterity and performance of aiming movements. However, the general tasks group had higher grip strength than the repetitive tasks group, demonstrating differences according to job specificity. The results suggest that a particular motor skill in a specific job cannot improve performance in other tasks with the same motor requirements. The transfer of the fine and gross motor skills from previous experience in a job-specific task is the basis for allocating training and guidance to workers.

Predictive validity analysis of six reference equations for the 6-minute walk test in healthy Brazilian men: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is an important tool for evaluating functional capacity and exercise tolerance. The reference equations for the 6MWT in healthy subjects were established on the basis of American and European populations, but reference equations have been proposed with different variables for the Brazilian population. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the predictive validity of six reference equations for the six-minute walking distance (6MWD) in healthy adult men. METHODS: We evaluated 103 individuals in relation to level of physical activity (IPAQ), respiratory symptoms (MRC), handgrip strength, and 6MWD test. The data were submitted to a normality test, then the Bland-Altman agreement test was used to compare individual 6MWD values with that expected for each equation. RESULTS: The subjects were active, with a mean age of 34.12 (SD=8.88) years and no respiratory symptoms. The mean of the 6MWD was 663.43 (SD=93.01)m. The 6MWD's predicted values came closest to the walked distance covered by Britto et al.'s equation (using BMI) of 647.62 (SD=38.62)m. CONCLUSIONS: The equation proposed by Britto et al. using body mass index (BMI) was the closest to the 6MWD for the individuals studied and could be widely used as a reference tool during the 6MWT in healthy Brazilian men.

Psychosocial adjustment after induced abortion and its explanatory factors among adolescent and adult women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the depressive symptoms and quality of life (QoL) among adolescents (<20 years) and adult women who have had an abortion and to explore individual, social, relational and decision-making explanatory factors for (mal)adjustment in each group. BACKGROUND: International findings are not consistent regarding the presence of negative psychosocial outcomes after abortion or about the explanatory factors for occurrence among adolescents and adult women. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 177 adolescents (65.1%) and 95 adult women (34.9%) who underwent abortion were recruited. Data on individual, social, relational and decision-making characteristics, depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and QoL (EUROHIS-QOL-8) were collected through self-report questionnaires at 16 healthcare services that provide abortion. RESULTS: Although adolescents are not at greater risk of maladjustment than adult women, abortion may be an emotionally significant event for both age groups. Regarding adolescents, feelings of being pressured into abortion and lower satisfaction with the abortion decision were significantly associated with depressive symptoms and lower QoL. Lower support from the mother was also associated with lower QoL. With regard to adult women, lower satisfaction with the abortion decision was significantly associated with depressive symptoms. None of variables was significantly associated with QoL. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that adolescents are not at greater risk of psychosocial maladjustment than are adult women. Factors from different ecological contexts and specific factors depending on age group should be considered in preventive interventions for (mal)adjustment after abortion.