Abortion coercion causes women deep emotional harm, new study shows

01 March 2023

Women who experienced pressure to abort are more likely to suffer grief, sadness, disruption of daily life, and a decline in overall mental health because of their abortion, according to a new study.

Social researchers David Reardon and Tessa Longbons have published the results of their study, interviewing women about the effects of their abortions.

The study breaks down the different kinds of pressure women can experience, including pressure from a partner or family member, or pressure from financial or other circumstances.

Reardon and Longbons report that: “Perceived pressure to abort was significantly associated with more negative emotions; more disruption of daily life, work, or relationships; more frequent thoughts, dreams, or flashbacks to the abortion; more frequent feelings of loss, grief or sadness about the abortion; more moral and maternal conflict over the abortion decision; a decline in overall mental health that they attribute to their abortions; more desire or need for help to cope with negative feelings about the abortion…

“Overall, 61% reported high levels of pressure on at least one scale.”

The authors of the study also noted that women who had a history of abortion were four times more likely to quit the survey than women who didn’t have any abortions, and that women with a history of feeling pressured to abort reported that completing the survey caused them higher levels of stress.

It was concluded that abortion surveys are “likely to underrepresent the experiences of the women who experience the most stress and negative reactions to their abortions”.

SPUC comment

A SPUC spokesperson said: “These are very concerning findings, showing just how devastating abortion coercion can be.

“Whatever their own view of abortion is, healthcare professionals should establish whether those seeking abortion feel under pressure from people or circumstances to abort an unborn child.

“And we should not underestimate just how widespread abortion coercion is. A recent BBC poll found that 15% of all British women have suffered some form of abortion coercion – a shocking finding that SPUC has sought to highlight.

“Society, especially politicians and media, must take this issue more seriously. Women must be protected.”

Abortion coercion causes women deep emotional harm, new study shows

01 March 2023

Women who experienced pressure to abort are more likely to suffer grief, sadness, disruption of daily life, and a decline in overall mental health bec...

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