Post-Abortion Emotional Distress

Paper Summary:

This paper reports that the demonstrative research associated with post-abortion emotional distress is clouded by ideologically driven bias. The author points out that more balanced research indicates that there are relatively few cases of extreme emotional distress post-abortion and often those extremes occur because of secondary causation such as high risk factors for emotional distress. The paper indicates (1) that post-abortion emotional complications can be dealt with similar to any other serious life stress emotional response and (2) that abortion gives woman access to intervention thus reducing potential stress from an unwanted pregnancy. The paper includes several long quotations.

Table of Contents:
The Abortion Debate
Divergent Opinions
Extreme Ideologies
Research on Post-Abortion Emotional Distress
Driven by Ideology
Consensus is Most Emotional Responses are Moderate
Post-Abortion Emotional Intervention
Environment of Abortion
Treatment should be as with Any Other Life Stressor
Unique Opportunity to Access
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"This trauma can then be dealt with in a logical and constructive manner, befitting any other stressful life event, such as the loss of a partner in a separation, being fired from a job or getting into a car accident. Depression, protracted grief or general feelings of guilt, when they occurs must be treated as a logical outgrowth of life stress not as a special case of social and emotional concern, because of the nature of the stress. Though this is not to say that the situation does not require consideration of emotions particular to the guilt, sadness and or feelings of abandonment that could be directly ..."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Arthur, Joyce. "Psychological Aftereffects of Abortion: The Rest of the Story." The Humanist Mar.-Apr. 1997: 7.
• Bullough, Vern L. "The Abortion Debate." Free Inquiry Summer 1996: 16.
• Corbett, Maureen R., and Katherine L. Turner. "Essential Elements of Postabortion Care: Origins, Evolution and Future Directions." International Family Planning Perspectives 29.3 (2003): 106.
• Irwin, Harry. "Choice: Tone It Down." The Nation 5 Apr. 2004: 23.
• Kalish, Stacey. "Lingering Thoughts about Abortion: Male Grief Is Hidden." Psychology Today May-June 2004: 14.

More papers on Post-Abortion Emotional Distress:

• Term Paper # 62259 : "Post-Abortion"
• Research Paper # 111417 : "Men and Post-Abortion Counseling"
• Persuasive Essay # 29373 : "Abortion"

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