3. 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
4. “Nearly 98% of all abortions serve as birth control.”
~ Clinton, Hart, & Ohlschlager, 2005
Raising awareness Politics and morality Women with regret
5. “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
6. • 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:
7. • 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:
8. Effective Tools for Assessment
& Support
Theoretical Systems
o Person-Centered (Client-Centered)
Strengthen individual through
increasing their own ability to address
grief and move toward acceptance
Promotes empowerment and self-
determination
9. 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
10. Effective Tools for Assessment
& Support
Theoretical Systems
o 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
11. Effective Tools for Assessment
& Support
Service Delivery Options
o 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
12. Effective Tools for Assessment
& Support
Service Delivery Options
o 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
13. Effective Tools for Assessment
& Support
Service Delivery Options
o 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
14. 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:
15. 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:
16. 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:
17. 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:
18. 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:
21. 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
22. 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
23. 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
24. 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
25. 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
28. 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
29. 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
30. 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
31. This PowerPoint Presentation was based upon the
Topical Senior Paper entitled:
“Post-Abortion Syndrome Among Women”
Editor's Notes
This template can be used as a starter file for a photo album.
This template can be used as a starter file for a photo album.
