Distress After Abortion Linked to Increased Mental Health Problems, Study Finds

New Findings Indicate 85 Percent of Women Have Negative Reactions After Abortion 

Springfield, IL (Jan. 14, 2009) -- This study shows that women who report having received poor pre-abortion counseling are more likely to report subsequent psychological problems attributed to their abortions.  Conversely, women who report having received better counseling report fewer problems.

This is why legislation promoted by the Stop Forced Abortions Alliance, such as house bill 1236 in Missouri (sponsored by Rep Cynthia Davis), is so very important.  Without such legislation, it is nearly impossible for women who suffer psychological injuries from a coerced or unsafe abortion to hold the abortionist liable for even gross negligence in regard to pre-abortion screening and counseling.

Proper screening and counseling will reduce abortion rates, especially among women being pressured into unwanted or unsafe abortions, and will also reduce the rate of psychological illness associated with abortion.  But the only way to that goal is to remove the barriers which prevent women from holding abortionists liable for negligent screening and counseling.

A survey of American women who had abortions found that more than half said they felt rushed or uncertain about abortion and 64 percent reported feeling pressured by others to abort. Sixty-five percent of the survey respondents reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder that they attributed to their abortions, with slightly over 14 percent reporting all the symptoms for a diagnosis of PTSD.

Providing Real Help for Women in Need

Frequently, when a woman or girl is pregnant in a crisis situation, those around her--including medical personnel, mental health professionals, her family or partner, and others who are in positions of authority--believe that abortion is the best, or only, solution to protect her mental health and well-being. Some may even pressure, coerce or push her to have an abortion because they believe it will be best for her.

These findings suggest that abortion is likely to be far more damaging to the woman or girl than continuing the pregnancy would be, even when the pregnancy is unplanned or unwanted.

Further, the evidence points to the need for health care providers and abortionists to screen women and girls for coercion and other known, statistically-validated factors that put them at risk for mental health problems after abortion. Such screening would help put an end to abortions that are unwanted, unsafe and unnecessary and would help protect the rights of both women and their unborn children.

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To view the Elliot Institute's model bill holding abortionists liable for failing to screen for coercion and psychological risk factors before abortion, visit www.stopforcedabortions.com.

Source:

Catherine T. Coyle, Priscilla K. Coleman and Vincent M. Rue, "Inadequate Preabortion Counseling and Decision Conflict as Predictors of Subsequent Difficulties and Psychological Stress in Men and Women," Traumatology XX(X) 1-15 (2010).

Contact:  
elliotinstitute@gmail.com