Post-Abortion Syndrome Among Women

CHRISTINE MONTEITHOral Roberts University, Fall 2013

The problem associated with abortion, but long ignored is that of post-abortion syndrome. Although abortion has existed since the earliest days, this syndrome was only recently identified in the 1980’s. Through advocacy and media exposure, this growing concern has received more attention, but usually in regard to Pro-Life versus Pro-Choice movements.

The issue itself, post-abortion syndrome, has not been officially recognized by the Association of American Psychologists (“APA”) to date. Needs for societal awareness and additional agency resources have been identified as key factors in properly addressing post-abortion syndrome. The abortion matter has been shown to affect diverse populations not limited to race or income including African-American, Caucasian, impoverished, as well as upper and middle class populations.

ABSTRACT

“Nearly 98% of all abortions serve as birth control.”~ Clinton, Hart, & Ohlschlager, 2005

Raising awareness Politics and morality Women with regret

“74% of women who admit to having abortions believe it morally wrong”

~ LA Times Poll

So, where does that leave us?o A need exists… address the loss of the child…

permit women to reconcile with their contradictory actions they believe “wrong”

Avoid potential and long-term trauma Provide resources that help them find healing

• Is post-abortion syndrome a valid condition resulting from abortion?

• Are women properly advised about possible after-effects of an abortion?

• What other factors play a legitimate role when an individual is determining whether or not to go through with an abortion?

Research Questions:

• Are there alternative resources available for individuals who might benefit from not choosing abortion?

• How are individuals truly affected by abortion and can preventative counseling assist in lowering the incidences of post-abortion syndrome that are reported?

Research Questions:

Effective Tools for Assessment & Support

Theoretical Systemso Person-Centered (Client-Centered)

Strengthen individual through increasing their own ability to address grief and move toward acceptance

Promotes empowerment and self-determination

Effective Tools for Assessment & Support Theoretical Systems

o Constructivism: Seeks to empower individual in a very

positive manner Focus is on interdependence of

thinking, feeling, and behavior Does not separate grief of abortion

from thoughts and feelings of the individual

Effective Tools for Assessment & Support

Theoretical Systemso Ecological Systems Perspective:

Identifies all interconnecting systems associated with a person and how they effect a person’s life

Recognizes past and current family systems and the significance they represent in a person’s life

Effective Tools for Assessment & Support

Service Delivery Optionso Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries

Post-abortive weekend healing retreats Focus:

creating environment where individual works through post-abortion trauma and other events that played a role in abortion decision

Effective Tools for Assessment & Support

Service Delivery Optionso Exhale – After Abortion Talkline

Phone service wherein post-abortive person calls to talk about their personal abortion experience

Referrals made to individuals who feel trauma related to abortion experience

Effective Tools for Assessment & Support

Service Delivery Optionso Reproductive Services/Connect and

Breathe Abortion clinic and its outsourced

talkline Goal: listen to and affirm a woman’s

abortion choice Referrals made for individuals

expressing persistent trauma-related feelings

Is post-abortion syndrome a valid condition resulting from abortion?

• Yes…women may have higher incidences of depression resulting from abortion. Also, they may face emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical repercussions from an abortion procedure.

Research Questions Answered:

Are women properly advised about possible after-effects of an abortion? • No…

• It appears the extent to which abortion agencies provide counseling for those who are post-abortive is usually through an outsourced talkline.

• This does not imply that women are properly advised about potential after-effects of abortion, as it does not appear to be a major concern for most agencies.

Research Questions Answered:

What other factors play a legitimate role when an individual is determining whether or not to go through with an abortion?

• Factors include: fear of rejection and/or abandonment, inability to accept responsibility for the child, pressure from outside influences such as family or a significant other, and/or a desire to conceal sexual activity (Clinton et al., 2005, p. 447).

Research Questions Answered:

Are there alternative resources available for individuals who might benefit from not choosing abortion?

• Crisis pregnancy centers provide alternatives to abortion, and approximately 3,000 exist across the United States, according to Dr. Tim Clinton and Dr. Ron Hawkins’ reference guide published in 2009.

Research Questions Answered:

How are individuals affected by abortion and can preventative counseling assist in lowering the incidences of post-abortion syndrome?

• Individuals are affected emotionally, psychologically, and sometimes, physically.

• Research suggests some women may benefit from receiving preventative counseling prior to an abortion procedure, disclosing possible negative effects to the individuals seeking abortion.

Research Questions Answered:

Openness

TraumaPost-Abortion Syndrome

Counseling Empowered Healing

Support

MORE Education Needed!

RECOMMENDATIONS:Microsystems:

o IMPERATIVE society avoids stigmatization of women who express regret for their abortion!

Guiding friends/family in ways to support a post-abortive person

Avoiding pitfalls of moral objections

Avoiding opposite response in being too quick to assure them they “made the right choice” – can have negative effect

RECOMMENDATIONS:Microsystems:

Social Worker in role of counselor to provide caring/safe environment for post-abortive woman as well as family

Social Worker in role of mediator to help bridge communication gaps

Therapists, counselors, medical personnel, & social service agents must be educated in post-abortion syndrome

RECOMMENDATIONS:Exo systems:

On-site counseling available at any agency providing abortion services

After-care services should be provided for anyone who has had the procedure

Educate clinics regarding potential for post-abortion syndrome to encourage better disclosure and support

RECOMMENDATIONS:Exo systems:

Collaboration of counseling and mental health agencies to educate public about post-abortion syndrome

Churches make post-abortive healing information available to congregations

RECOMMENDATIONS:Macro systems:

Legislation that recognizes need for post-abortion counseling and need for aftercare

Social Worker as change agent, researcher, and advocate to provide correct data and encourage change on a legislative level

Post-Abortion Syndrome Among Women

Conclusion

A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW:Relating to NASW:

Self Determination, NASW 1.02 we cannot stop at respecting ability to make choices; sometimes choices hurt and need healing

Social Welfare, NASW 6.01 challenge social injustice; must seek to help those suffering instead of “going along” with society’s view that suffering is not real

A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW:Relating to NASW:

Social and Political Action, NASW 6.04 raise awareness and establish legislation that serves people in their needs

God calls us to care for “the least of these” and this coincides with NASW directives to do the same

A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW:Relating to NASW:

God calls us to serve those who are considered outcasts and who are suffering which is part of social work at its core

God gave all dignity and social workers must endeavor to keep it in tact

This PowerPoint Presentation was based upon the Topical Senior Paper entitled:

“Post-Abortion Syndrome Among Women”