Background: Emerging data
report 30% of women worldwide who obtain elective abortion experience negative
and persistent psychological distress afterward. Studies find higher rates of
psychological stress, depressive, substance, and anxiety disorders as well as
suicidal behaviors, amongsome
populations after abortion as compared to other reproductive events. Of
concern, is that currenttheory and practice which promote abortion to relieve
the stress of an unwanted pregnancy do not reflect new evidence. Moreover, the
controversy on abortion inhibits research and treatment on its impact on
women’s mental health. Thus, clinicians do not identify adverse psychological
outcomes to abortion leaving many women untreated. Indeed, this
knowledge-practice gap among healthcare providers may be the major reason that
the incidence of adverse psychological outcomes after abortion continues to
rise. Method: This paper proposes a theoretical understanding of psychological
distress after abortion based on new data. A bio-psychosocial framework,
including a psychological and biological theory, as well as a conceptual model
is presented to explain the development of psychological distress after
abortion. A comparison of risk factorsbetween
postpartum and post-abortion disorders is presented. Conclusion: A new
theoretical modelof
psychological distress after abortion deepens understanding of the range of
women’s responses to abortion and promotes evidence based practice. A
scientific framework provides a much needed understanding of abortion aftermath
as opposed to a political one. By providing assistance to clinicians in the
identification, screening, and treatment of psychological disorders after
abortion, thisthesis aims to
close the practice gap, and increase services after abortion to women who need
them.
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