Navigating reproductive futures post-Dobbs: A scoping review of qualitative evidence

Background: This scoping review explores the reproductive impacts of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and established that there is no federal right to abortion in the United States. This decision has altered the reproductive landscape of the U.S. via health outcomes, access to care, legislation, and societal discourse around abortion, contraception, and social rights. We aimed to understand the current landscape of reproductive health in the United States. Method: We conducted a scoping review of qualitative literature published after Dobbs to examine the decision’s effect on people’s experiences seeking care, information, and engaging in conversations surrounding abortion. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) using the search terms “abortion”, “Dobbs”, and “qualitative”. The eligibility criteria for inclusion were studies that collected qualitative data (either through participants or analysis of text), explored the impacts of Dobbs, and focused on individual and community experiences rather than provider perspectives. Results: 27 studies met our inclusion criteria from a pool of 1,134 initial sources. Themes emerged such as Perceived Aftermath of Dobbs (e.g., populations disproportionately affected, larger sociopolitical impacts), Dobbs as a Motivator for Action (e.g., catalyst for making changes in behaviors related to contraceptive use and sexual practices, increased physical and social media activism), Needs Assessment in the Wake of Dobbs (e.g., increased financial strain due to having to travel out of state for care, effects of stigma related to abortion), Dobbs Revealing People’s Stances (e.g., differences in public versus private stances, people feeling more confirmed in their beliefs regarding abortion), and Surge and Decay (e.g., increase in physical and online activism directly after Dobbs followed by a decline in action). Conclusion: The included studies demonstrated the many impacts that Dobbs has had on various aspects of health and well-being, including access to health care, health information, and conversations regarding reproductive rights and freedom. The Dobbs decision has changed the reproductive landscape of the United States and will continue to shape the way that people receive and obtain abortion care for years to come.