Valdez, D., Crawford, B.L., Turner, R.C., Lo, W., Jozkowski, K.N. (2020 conference cancelled. Abstracts were published). Self-identified pro-life and pro-choice definitions among a national sample of US adults: Using topic modeling and sentiment analysis to uncover latent language perceptions. American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB) Annual Meeting.
Abortion is a complex and nuanced issue, however, abortion ideologies are often dichotomized strictly intro pro-life and pro-choice monikers. Although evidence suggests these terms are arbitrary, the majority of people rely on them to describe the varying degree to which they support or oppose abortion practices. Thus, while these terms are dichotomous, actual meanings ascribed to those terms are far more complex and nuanced. Purpose. The purpose of this study is to analyze and map latent language themes of written, self-described pro-life pro-choice definitions. Methods. For this study, we collected open-ended data from a national sample that asked participants to answer how they would define pro-life and pro-choice in their own terms. We analyzed the text data from his project through topic modeling and sentiment analysis algorithms to: (a) identify latent language themes within each pro-life/pro-choice categories, and (b) determine the overall objectivity of the definitions provided. Results. Most latent themes aligned with traditional perceptions of pro-life and pro-choice— (e.g. baby, save, life, live for pro-life and right, choose, terminate, end for pro-choice). Further, pro-choice definitions were likely to include more negative language (e.g. murder, kill, death) than self-described pro-life definitions. Conclusions. Though pro-life and pro-choice monikers are dichotomous, actual meaning ascribed to them is more nuanced. Further, that nuance suggests varying manifestations of abortion perceptions and attitudes toward the practice. Thus, we should advocate for moving away from such monikers in favor of other terms that may be more encompassing of true abortions sentiment.