Psychologic Effects of Legal Abortion

Osofsky, Joy D.; Osofsky, Howard J.; R, Rajan; Fox, Michael R.

doi:10.1097/00003081-197103000-00020

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Comparisons of minors and adults on measures of adjustment assessed 1 month postabortion are consistent with a group of prior studies that found a negative relationship between age at abortion and postabortion negative emotions (e.g., Adler, 1975; Bracken et al, 1974; Osofsky et al, 1971; Payne et al, 1976). Although only a marginal age group difference was found when the 1-month postabortion adjustment measures were tested as a set, significant differences between minors and adults were found on two of the individual measures.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…The results of four studies suggest that younger women have more difficulty with adjustment following abortion than do older women. In a sample of 580 women aged 11–44 years, Osofsky, Osofsky, and Rajan (1971) found a very small but significant positive correlation ( r = .08, p < .05) between age at time of abortion and feelings of relief (vs. guilt) about the abortion, assessed shortly after the procedure. Among a sample of 102 women, Payne et al (1976) found that guilt and depression were marginally higher among women aged 18–28 years than among women aged 28 years and older and that this pattern was consistent at 24 hr, 6 weeks, and 6 months postabortion.…”

Section: Empirical Studies Of Age Differences In Adjustment To Abortionmentioning

confidence: 92%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Adolescents and adjustment to abortion: Are minors at greater risk?

Quinton¹,

Major²,

Richards³

2001

Psychology, Public Policy, and Law

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The authors tested the Supreme Court's assumption that minors are particularly susceptible to psychological distress following abortion. The responses of 38 minors (age < 18 years) were compared with those of 402 adults, 1 month and 2 years after an elective, 1st-trimester abortion. Minors were relatively less satisfied with their abortion decision and felt less benefit from the abortion than did adults 1 month postabortion, but they did not differ from adults in adjustment 2 years postabortion. Minors were not more depressed than adults at either time period, and their decision satisfaction and perceived benefit at both time periods did not suggest a population at risk. Age group differences in adjustment 1 month postabortion were explained by minors' reduced self-efficacy appraisals for coping, greater use of avoidant coping strategies, and greater perceived parental conflict. These findings challenge the Court's assumption that minors are particularly vulnerable to psychological harm following abortion.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Empirical Studies Of Age Differences In Adjustment To Abortionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Adolescents and adjustment to abortion: Are minors at greater risk?

Quinton¹,

Major²,

Richards³

2001

Psychology, Public Policy, and Law

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Such a project would require prohibitively large numbers and is unlikely to be conducted. 5. None of the studies had control groups with which to compare the prevalence of either psychiatric symptoms or disorder in pre-abortion and post-abortion women.…”

Section: Methodological Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Sequelae of Induced Abortion

Romans

1989

Aust N Z J Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article reviews the scientific literature on the psychological sequelae of induced abortion. The methodology and results of studies carried out over the last twenty-two years are examined critically. The unanimous consensus is that abortion does not cause deleterious psychological effects. Women most likely to show subsequent problems are those who were pressured into the operation against their own wishes, either by relatives or because their pregnancy had medical or foetal contraindications. Legislation which restricts abortion causes problems for women with unwanted pregnancies and their doctors. It is also unjust, as it adversely most affects lower socio-economic class women.

show abstract

“…Women having abortions undergo physical and emotional stress (Osofsky, et al 1971). The type and timing of the procedure influences the ultimate outcome for the client.…”

Section: Statement Of the Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abortion Attitude of Nurses: A Cognitive Dissonance Perspective

Estok

1978

Image

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Attitude formation and/or change has implication for nursing. The attitude of the nurse is said to influence the care received and how it is preceived by the client. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between abortion attitudes of nurses and cognitive dissonance theory. Findings reveal that nursing students studied became more positive toward abortion after clinical experience with abortion and, as a group, 64% favored unrestricted abortion. Since the majority of the subjects studied were positive toward abortion, they should be able to function effectively with clients seeking abortion health care services.

show abstract

Psychologic Effects of Legal Abortion

Cited by 13 publications

References 0 publications

Adolescents and adjustment to abortion: Are minors at greater risk?

Adolescents and adjustment to abortion: Are minors at greater risk?

Psychological Sequelae of Induced Abortion

Abortion Attitude of Nurses: A Cognitive Dissonance Perspective

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About