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- 1. What are the Psychological Affects of Abortion on Women? Argosy University/Atlanta Campus Advanced General Psychology Professor: Katina Clarke October 24, 2010 By: Jamil Allen PSY 492
- 2. PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS WOMEN EXPERIENCE AFTER THE ABORTION Nervous Disorders Sleep Disturbances Regretting Their Decision Enlisting Psychiatric Services
- 3. FACTORS THAT PLAY A ROLE IN MAKING THE DECISION TO ABORT Finances Living Arrangements Age Future Endeavors General Health Concerns Relationship Status Religion
- 4. GLOBAL ABORTION PRACTICES Asia Africa Latin America Caribbean
- 5. UNSAFE PRACTICES AND ILLEGAL ABORTIONS Statistics on Abortion Practices Mortality Rates Statistics on Unsafe Abortions
- 6. Pre-Abortion Counseling and Significant Risk Factors Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS) Aftereffects of Abortion Overall Findings
- 7. PSYCHOLOGICAL AFTERMATH OF ABORTION Post Abortion Counseling Services Project Rachel Statistics
- 8. Psychological Impact of Abortion Reactions to Abortion Pro-Choice Pro-Life
- 9. PREVAILING ARGUMENTS Making the Decision Mental Health Mental Stability
- 10. SHOULD WOMEN RECEIVE PRE- ABORTION COUNSELING Potential Questions Other Issues Suicide
- 11. WHEN WOMEN ATTEND PRE-ABORTION COUNSELING, HOW HONEST ARE THEY IN DIVULGING THEIR TRUE FEELINGS? How Counseling Questions are Answered The Integrity of the Counseling Session Accountability
- 12. REFERENCES: Correa, Sonia (2003). Women and health; abortion is a global political issue. Women’s International Network News, 29 (3), 12. Walden, Rachel (2008). The apa releases new report: abortion no threat to mental health. The Women’s Health Activist, 33 (6), 11. Hess, Rosanna F. (2007). Women’s stories of abortion in southern gabon, africa. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 18 (1), 41. deVeber, L.L., Gentles, Ian, Singh, Sukhbir S., Fisher, William A. (2005). Psychological aftermath of abortion. Journal of Canadian Medical Association, 173 (5), 466. Broen, Anne N., Mourn, Torbjorn, Bodtker, Anne S., Ekeberg, Oivind (2004). Psychological impact on women of miscarriage versus induced abortion: a two year follow-up study. Psychosomatic Medicine, 66 (2), 265.
- 13. REFERENCES CONTINUED… Anonymous (2008). Women should be offered post-abortion psychological care. The Lancet, 372 (9639), 602. Lakritz, Naomi (2009). Women’s real oppressors are those who say abortion doesn’t hurt them. Calgary Herald, 24. Waldman, Steven; Ackerman, Elise; Reed, Cheryl L.; Greenberg, Ilan; Cutter, Natela; Sieder, Jill, J.; Lavelle, Marianne (1998). Abortions in america. U.S. News and World Report, 20. Dube, Jonathan (1998). After the abortion. The Washington Monthly, 24-27. Arthur, Joyce (1997). Psychological aftereffects of abortion. Humanist 7-9.
- 14. REFERENCES CONTINUED… http://www.thefreedictionary.com/nervous+disorder (Free Dictionary, 2010) Retrieved on October 24, 2010
Editor's Notes
- A nervous disorder can be described as, “a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning (Free Dictionary).” Abortions can contribute greatly to this disorder, it can cause some women to experience a great deal of anxiety and high stress levels. Some examples of sleep disturbances are: insomnia, sleep apnea, and sleepwalking, the lack of sleep can result in poor job performance and withdrawal from family and friends. A common reaction post abortion, is to regret their decision; feeling as if they made the wrong choice or feeling guilty about their choice is common amongst these women. If these problems persist and continue to escalate the enlistment of a psychiatrist is a good option to begin the road to emotional recovery.
- Often times, when choosing to make this decision there are multiple factors that can play a major role in ultimately deciding to abort. Many women may not have the financial stability to take care of themselves and a child. Some women may live with their parents or in poor living conditions and choose not to have a child until they are married and are more stable. Age is also an important factor that should be considered, being to young or to old can prohibit someone from responsibly nurturing and caring for an infant. Finishing high school or college, gaining employment, buying a house are some examples of future endeavors some women may consider when making their decision. Health or lack of is also a major key factor in this decision making process because high risk pregnancies may result in the death of the mother or the child. The status of a relationship can be a determining factor as well, being single, unmarried, or being in an unhealthy partnership can make some women feel they want to abort. Religion is also a factor that can play a part in the guilt and shame one feels after a procedure like an abortion. Overall, they have their own compelling reasons for making their decision.
- “In Asia 16 countries allow abortion on request, 17 countries permit abortion to save the woman’s life and 13 permit it under more restrictive circumstances. In Africa, abortion is available on request in only 5 out of 53 countries-Ghana, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Seychelles and Tunisia. In Latin America abortion is practically illegal everywhere with the exception of two states in Mexico the Federal District and Yucatan. In Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, and some other states in Mexico, the procedure is available under specific circumstances, particularly in the case of rape. In the Caribbean abortion is legal in four countries, Barbados, Cuba, Guyana, and Puerto Rico (Correa, 2003).”
- “In 1995, approximately 26 million abortions and 20 million unsafe abortions took place, roughly one million of them in Brazil alone. In Peru, Chile, and Dominican Republic, abortion-related mortality rates are estimated to be 20 times what is registered for the United States. Who estimates that between 1995 and 2000, unsafe abortions resulted in about 78, 000 maternal deaths, and that one maternal death in eight is due to abortion-related complications. Abortion is known to be a major killer of African women: 110 deaths per 100,000 live births (Correa, 2003).”
- "Researchers on the aftereffects of abortion have identified a pattern of psychological problems known as Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS). Women suffering PAS may experience drug and alcohol abuse, personal relationship disorders, sexual dysfunction, repeated abortions, communications difficulties, damaged self-esteem, and even attempt suicide. At the time, the APA reviewed the evidence and concluded, the best available studies on psychological responses following legal, nonrestrictive abortion in the United States suggest that severe negative reactions are infrequent. The overall finding was there is no credible evidence that single elective abortion of an unwanted pregnancy in and of itself causes mental health problems for adult women (Walden, 2008).”
- “Increasing numbers of post abortion counseling services are being developed in North America and around the world. The largest in the United States is Project Rachel, which has many chapters, including several in Canada. Thousands of women are being helped by these services, sometimes long after the abortion, but there are undoubtedly many more who do not go for help. The Healing Choice post abortion counseling service, which is prochoice, estimates that at least 10% of women who have undergone abortion need counseling for psychological problems associated with the procedure (deVeber, 2005).”
- “Pro-choice advocates maintain that the most common reaction to abortion is relief, because the procedure ends a stressful unwanted pregnancy. Pro-life advocates, on the other hand, cite evidence for what they call post-abortion stress or "Post-Abortion Syndrome," whose symptoms are said to include abortion flashbacks, relationship problems, guilt, severe depression, low self-esteem, substance abuse, and even suicidal tendencies. Counselors say the people involved suffer pain, depression, and unresolved grief; all magnified because they suffer silently. Thus the healing process requires individuals to acknowledge that a death has occurred and that grieving and forgiveness of their "sin" are necessary. In order to heal, the theory states, a woman must personify the "baby" and accept its death before she can move on (Dube, 1998).”
- Women are torn between deciding the future of their unborn child and in some countries; abortion is prohibited under any circumstances. Another prevailing argument is the status of the woman’s mental health before having this procedure. This is one the toughest decisions a woman will ever make in her lifetime, so her mental stability after the procedure can be jeopardized.
- Are you absolutely sure about your decision? Have you explored any other options? Does your partner support your decision? “Other issues to be discussed are: depression, psychological distress, and increased risk of suicidal ideation and suicide (Walden, 2008).” Feelings of suicide post abortion is a thought that women may have, dealing with the grief and thoughts of what could have been, can be very overwhelming. It is very important for these women to see professional help and have support from their loved ones. Although they made the decision to abort, they may not be mentally stable enough to deal with their decision.
- This question would help to identify whether or not these women answer the questions based on their circumstances or based on how they really feel about the procedure. I feel these counseling sessions serve a great importance, but the integrity of the service is jeopardized if the women answer the counselor’s questions dishonestly so that they can proceed with the procedure. These women should be held accountable if they do not answer the counselor’s questions truthfully, it is imperative that they receive ultimate care during this process. However, it is no way of knowing if the woman is being honest until it is too late. I feel understanding these types of underlying issues will help to make this experience a little better for those who choose to embark on it.