The Turnaway Study: The Mental Health Impact of Receiving vs. Being Denied a Wanted Abortion Flashcards
Wanted Abortion
When a woman is seeking a medical abortion and is granted one, was found to not be associated with mental health harms
Denied Abortion
When a woman is seeking a medical abortion and is denied one, found to be associated with experiencing more anxiety and low self-esteem following the denial
Abortion Laws
Usually require women to be warned about the negative psychological effects of abortion, found to not be based in evidence
Stress Levels and Abortion
Seen to be highest among women who were turned away and went on to parent after seeking an abortion
Later Abortion
Having an abortion later in a woman’s pregnancy, found to not be associated with more adverse mental health outcomes than obtaining a first trimester abortion
Women who received and were denied an abortion in the long term
Both women who received and women who were denied an abortion experienced improvements in their mental health and well-being from the time they sought an abortion to five years later
Women who were denied an abortion in the short term
Compared to receiving an abortion, being denied a wanted abortion was associated with experiencing more symptoms of anxiety and low self-esteem one week after denial
