| Summary: | Magister Psychologiae - MPsych === The South African Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Act (no. 92 of 1996) regulates
the process of termination of pregnancy in the country. However, research has shown noncompliance
to the stipulation leading to clandestine practices, ostracism and lack of knowledge
regarding the Act. The aim of this study was thus to explore perceptions of Psychology Honours
students toward termination of pregnancy as well as to investigate their knowledge of the CTOP
Act and assess how far the legislature informs their perceptions, if at all. Although CTOP Act
legislation stipulates pre and post CTOP counselling, evidence suggests that few women seeking
termination of pregnancy (TOP) rarely receive counselling as envisaged. Numerous challenges
were indicated as factors affecting the implementation of this stipulation. Considering this
evidence, the way that prospective mental health care professionals such as Psychology Honours
students’ – perceptions toward TOP were regarded pivotal in engaging with the implementation
of the TOP legislature. A qualitative exploratory research design was used to explore and describe
the perceptions that Psychology Honours students have toward TOP. Individual interviews with
15 students from a historically disadvantaged university in the Western Cape were conducted and
recorded. The collected data was transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using Braun and
Clarke’s model of Thematic Analysis. The results from the collected data reveal complex
perceptions toward TOP. Participants reflected gradual modification of their perspectives due to
exposure to different contexts and views in tertiary institutions, different friends and social
engagements. Most participants indicated a religious background, however, indicated deviation
from religious prescriptions pertaining to TOP.
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