Effects of Abortion on The Adolescent

The Psychological Effects of Abortion on the Adolescent

Pre abortion Psychological Effects 

Teenagers that face an abortion show different psychological symptoms or disorders than those that have gone through with an abortion. Teenagers facing the crisis of the decision as to whether to choose an abortion or not is often influenced by concerns for the physical changes that may take place in their body (Reisser 1999: 193). 

 

An unwanted pregnancy causes an internal distress with the fear of rejection from parents as well as the social stigmatism that goes with being a teenager and pregnant (Engelbrecht 2005: 9). There is also the social dilemma’s that face society in terms of normative behavior of having a child out of wedlock. The teenager may also want to seek the quickest and easiest way out of the crisis without perceiving the possible consequences because of the nature of the crisis (Hyam 2002: 3).

Post Abortion Psychological Effects 

The psychological effects of abortion on an adolescent are vast; it will be different in each case, however similarities can be noted. Because of the nature of the developmental stage of adolescence, the period in which a teenager is developing their identity and self-esteem, the observation of a worsened self-image is noted as the loss constitutes an identity problem (Hyam 2002:4). Adolescents are in a time of crisis developmentally in their lives, a loss caused by an abortion decision constitutes further psychological distress. 

 

Some of the psychological distresses that have been noted by pastoral councillors are heightened anxiety and fear levels, as well as strong inclinations toward suicide (Reisser 1999:194). It was also noted that teenagers who had undergone an abortion experience significant behavioral changes to the two extremes in most cases, such as increased sexual relations or isolation. Some teenagers were also noted to regress emotionally and developmentally to a stage where they felt more secure (Oliver and Bloom 2004:179).

The Effects Abortion has on the Adolescents’ Development

The Physical Effects of an Abortion 

In a recent study performed amongst South African teenagers that gave birth, it was found that in some cases the physical implications where severe. However the ratio of severe physical implications was found to be less than the ratio that was found amongst those who had had abortions. The most common complications which can occur at the time of an abortion are: infection, excessive bleeding, embolism, ripping or perforation of the uterus, anesthesia complications, convulsions, hemorrhage, cervical injury, and endotoxic shock, fever, second degree burns, chronic abdominal pain, vomiting and gastrointestinal disturbances (Elliot institution 2000).

The Effects Abortion can have on an Adolescents’ Future 

Oliver and Bloom (2004:180) did a research study on the teacher’s role during adolescent abortion. Within this study they specifically did research on the effects abortion has on the teenager’s future. The results showed that most adolescents that undergo abortion are likely either to leave school at that point due to the inability to cope with the stress. It was also reported that there was an increase in the individuals’ school absenteeism or a poor academic performance. This has permanent effect on the adolescents’ educational future.

 

Abortion often has an effect on the adolescents’ life permanently, thus it is unlikely that the teenager would forget the experience. There are a handful of  abortion cases amongst teenagers, where the teen is able to walk away and continue normally or adapt to the circumstance as  a teenager that gave birth (Oliver and Bloom 2004:180). Women that had recently undergone an abortion where interviewed with the first year, many indicated that they had recovered and expressed some sense of relief. However it was found among these women that post abortion depression was delayed and in many cases surfaced in later years even as long as ten years later (Alcorn 1994:155). 
 

Adapted from: http://www.satsonline.org
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