Abortion research
A summary of scientific research
Since the early 1980s, groups of abortion, as opposed have tried to demonstrate the existence of a "post-abortion syndrome," which they believe has similar characteristics to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD ) demonstrated by some veterans of the war. In 1989, convened by the American Psychological Association (APA) a group of psychologists with extensive experience in this field to give your opinion. They said that studies with plans to the most rigorous scientific research never found evidence of "post-abortion syndrome" and furthermore that the syndrome is scientifically or medically recognized.1
The group concluded that "research with different samples, different measures of response, and different times of assessment have come to similar conclusions. The moment of greatest distress is likely before the abortion. Severe negative reactions after abortion are rare and can be best understood in the context of dealing with stress of normal life. "2 Although some women may experience feelings of regret, sadness or guilt after an abortion, the response is overwhelming relief and happiness.3
In another study, researchers surveyed a national sample of 5,295 women, all of whom have not had abortions and many of them had had abortions between 1979 and 1987 when they became involved in the study. Researchers have learned more about the women of emotional well-being both before and after they had had abortions. They concluded at the end of the study eight years that the most important predictor of emotional well-being in women post-abortion was their well-being before the abortion. Women who had high self-confidence before an abortion would be most likely to have self-esteem after abortions, no matter how many years ago, abortion.4
What the experts say
In a commentary published in the Journal of American Medical Association, Nada Stotland, MD, former president of the Association of Women Psychiatrists, said:
"Significant psychiatric sequelae after abortion are rare, as documented in numerous methodologically sound prospective studies in the United States and European countries. Extensive reviews of this literature has recently been undertaken and confirms this conclusion. The incidence of diagnosed psychiatric illness and hospitalization are considerably lower following abortion than after childbirth ... major psychiatric disorders following abortion occurs most frequently among women who were mentally ill before pregnancy, those who decided to undergo abortion under external pressure and in those who underwent abortion in aversive circumstances, for example, abandonment. "6
Henry P. David, Ph.D., an internationally renowned researcher in this field of research, said the following during an international conference.
"The severe psychological reactions after abortion are rare ... [T] he number of cases is very low, and was characterized by former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop United States as" a small public health perspective " ... For the vast majority of women, abortion will be followed by a mixture of emotions, a predominance of positive feelings. This is immediately after an abortion and for some time after ... [T] reported positive image up to eight years after the abortion, it is unlikely that more negative responses will be seen later. "7
Dabul Russo and published their results of a study of eight years in professional psychology:
"Although a lot of data analysis was performed, which is controlled by several variables, including against women of color against white women, Catholic women against non-Catholic women, and women had an abortion compared to other women, the results are consistent with: abortion experience to have played little, if appropriate independent status of women in the time being, without distinction of race or religion. predictor great wealth of women after abortion, race or religion, it is that the level of no less than pre-pregnancy ... Our results are consistent with those of others, including the National Academy of Sciences (1975), and the conclusion should be repeated. Although a concerted effort to convince the public the 'postabortion trauma there is a widespread and serious, there is no scientific evidence of such trauma, even though abortion is highly stressful context of unwanted pregnancy. "8 (emphasis added)
Effect on anti-Choice
Russo and Dabul recall that when women in their study were interviewed from 1979 to 1987, was anti-choice efforts to stigmatize abortion yet reached the leading level. Today's anti-choice groups regularly harass clinic staff, to intimidate patients in clinics, and use a graphical language designed to punish women (eg, "abortion is murder", "women are child killers "). In addition, in recent years has revealed a new anti-choice strategy to offer "advice" for women. Rather than explore the roots of psychological distress of women and provide impartial treatment, an anti-trend Advisors choice to direct his anger toward the abortion providers, arguing that women are poorly informed about the psychological trauma that causes abortion. Due to the political polarization of these advisers and their abuse of psychological services, women may feel angry and betrayed.
Russian and Dabul said that operators need to recognize the harmful effects of social ostracism felt by the abortion. Some post-abortion problems may be due to the lack of social support, why women are prepared to take responsibility for an unplanned pregnancy and unwanted. The researchers encouraged all players to continue to provide accurate information, because many women are misled anti-selection of sources that may affect care, if they choose abortion. In addition, women are concerned about when abortion should be encouraged to see a professional psychologist, or join a support group under the supervision of a professional mental health, rather than an organization sponsored by any anti-choice.
Psychological reactions to abortion must also be weighed against the psychological impact of alternatives to resolve an unwanted pregnancy (adoption or becoming a parent). Although there has been little scientific research on the psychological consequences of adoption, the researchers believe it likely "that the psychological risks of adoption are higher for women than abortion because" they reflect the different types of stress. The stress associated with abortion is an acute stress, usually ending with the procedure. With the adoption of unwanted childbearing may be chronic stress for women who continue to worry about fate of the child.
References
Since the early 1980s, groups of abortion, as opposed have tried to demonstrate the existence of a "post-abortion syndrome," which they believe has similar characteristics to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD ) demonstrated by some veterans of the war. In 1989, convened by the American Psychological Association (APA) a group of psychologists with extensive experience in this field to give your opinion. They said that studies with plans to the most rigorous scientific research never found evidence of "post-abortion syndrome" and furthermore that the syndrome is scientifically or medically recognized.1
The group concluded that "research with different samples, different measures of response, and different times of assessment have come to similar conclusions. The moment of greatest distress is likely before the abortion. Severe negative reactions after abortion are rare and can be best understood in the context of dealing with stress of normal life. "2 Although some women may experience feelings of regret, sadness or guilt after an abortion, the response is overwhelming relief and happiness.3
In another study, researchers surveyed a national sample of 5,295 women, all of whom have not had abortions and many of them had had abortions between 1979 and 1987 when they became involved in the study. Researchers have learned more about the women of emotional well-being both before and after they had had abortions. They concluded at the end of the study eight years that the most important predictor of emotional well-being in women post-abortion was their well-being before the abortion. Women who had high self-confidence before an abortion would be most likely to have self-esteem after abortions, no matter how many years ago, abortion.4
What the experts say
In a commentary published in the Journal of American Medical Association, Nada Stotland, MD, former president of the Association of Women Psychiatrists, said:
"Significant psychiatric sequelae after abortion are rare, as documented in numerous methodologically sound prospective studies in the United States and European countries. Extensive reviews of this literature has recently been undertaken and confirms this conclusion. The incidence of diagnosed psychiatric illness and hospitalization are considerably lower following abortion than after childbirth ... major psychiatric disorders following abortion occurs most frequently among women who were mentally ill before pregnancy, those who decided to undergo abortion under external pressure and in those who underwent abortion in aversive circumstances, for example, abandonment. "6
Henry P. David, Ph.D., an internationally renowned researcher in this field of research, said the following during an international conference.
"The severe psychological reactions after abortion are rare ... [T] he number of cases is very low, and was characterized by former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop United States as" a small public health perspective " ... For the vast majority of women, abortion will be followed by a mixture of emotions, a predominance of positive feelings. This is immediately after an abortion and for some time after ... [T] reported positive image up to eight years after the abortion, it is unlikely that more negative responses will be seen later. "7
Dabul Russo and published their results of a study of eight years in professional psychology:
"Although a lot of data analysis was performed, which is controlled by several variables, including against women of color against white women, Catholic women against non-Catholic women, and women had an abortion compared to other women, the results are consistent with: abortion experience to have played little, if appropriate independent status of women in the time being, without distinction of race or religion. predictor great wealth of women after abortion, race or religion, it is that the level of no less than pre-pregnancy ... Our results are consistent with those of others, including the National Academy of Sciences (1975), and the conclusion should be repeated. Although a concerted effort to convince the public the 'postabortion trauma there is a widespread and serious, there is no scientific evidence of such trauma, even though abortion is highly stressful context of unwanted pregnancy. "8 (emphasis added)
Effect on anti-Choice
Russo and Dabul recall that when women in their study were interviewed from 1979 to 1987, was anti-choice efforts to stigmatize abortion yet reached the leading level. Today's anti-choice groups regularly harass clinic staff, to intimidate patients in clinics, and use a graphical language designed to punish women (eg, "abortion is murder", "women are child killers "). In addition, in recent years has revealed a new anti-choice strategy to offer "advice" for women. Rather than explore the roots of psychological distress of women and provide impartial treatment, an anti-trend Advisors choice to direct his anger toward the abortion providers, arguing that women are poorly informed about the psychological trauma that causes abortion. Due to the political polarization of these advisers and their abuse of psychological services, women may feel angry and betrayed.
Russian and Dabul said that operators need to recognize the harmful effects of social ostracism felt by the abortion. Some post-abortion problems may be due to the lack of social support, why women are prepared to take responsibility for an unplanned pregnancy and unwanted. The researchers encouraged all players to continue to provide accurate information, because many women are misled anti-selection of sources that may affect care, if they choose abortion. In addition, women are concerned about when abortion should be encouraged to see a professional psychologist, or join a support group under the supervision of a professional mental health, rather than an organization sponsored by any anti-choice.
Psychological reactions to abortion must also be weighed against the psychological impact of alternatives to resolve an unwanted pregnancy (adoption or becoming a parent). Although there has been little scientific research on the psychological consequences of adoption, the researchers believe it likely "that the psychological risks of adoption are higher for women than abortion because" they reflect the different types of stress. The stress associated with abortion is an acute stress, usually ending with the procedure. With the adoption of unwanted childbearing may be chronic stress for women who continue to worry about fate of the child.
References
- American Psychological Association. "APA research review finds no evidence of 'post-abortion syndrome' but research studies on psychological effects of abortion inconclusive." Press release, January 18, 1989.
- Adler NE, et al. "Psychological responses after abortion." Science, April 1990, 248: 41-44.
- Adler NE, et al. "Psychological factors in abortion: a review." American Psychologist, 1992, 47(10): 1194-1204.
- Russo NF, Zierk KL. "Abortion, childbearing, and women's well-being." Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 1992, 23(4): 269-280.
- Russo NF. "Psychological aspects of unwanted pregnancy and its resolution." In J.D. Butler and D.F. Walbert (eds.), Abortion, Medicine, and the Law (4th Ed., pp. 593-626). New York: Facts on File, 1992.
- Stotland N. "The myth of the abortion trauma syndrome." Journal of the American Medical Association, 1992, 268(15): 2078-2079.
- David HP. "Comment:post-abortion trauma." Abortion Review Incorporating Abortion Research Notes, Spring, 1996, 59: 1-3.
- Russo NF, Dabul, AJ. "The relationship of abortion to well-being: Do race and religion make a difference?" Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 1997, 28(1): 1-9.
