The psychology of abortion: A review and suggestions for future research

Abstract

The literature base pertaining to abortion decision-making and adjustment has grown substantially since legalization of abortion in the U.S. 30 years ago. However, the available research has suffered from various theoretical and methodological shortcomings and the findings do not seem to do justice to the complexity of abortion experiences among women residing in a cultural context that continues to exhibit intense conflict over the legality and morality of abortion. The purpose of this review is to summarize previous research, offer suggestions for improving the quality of work on the topic of abortion, and to highlight specific content areas holding considerable promise for enhancing our understanding of the risks and benefits of abortion.