Effects of abortion on college women's mental health

111 Pages·2017·2.7 MB·English

by  Estefany Bologna

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Estefany Bologna
University of Central Florida
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EFFECTS OF ABORTION ON COLLEGE WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH

by

ESTEFANY S. BOLOGNA

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the Honors in the Major Program in Psychology
in the College of Sciences
and in The Burnett Honors College
at the University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida

Spring 2013

Thesis Chair: H. Edward Fouty Jr., Ph.D.
©2013 Estefany S. Bologna
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ABSTRACT
Since the legalization of abortion, some research studies have argued that abortion has a neutral
effect when considering other coexistent factors (e.g. Adler et al., 1990; Major et al., 2000;
Steinberg & Russo, 2008). Other studies have concluded that abortion has a negative influence
on women’s psyche (e.g. Congleton & Calhoun, 1993; Cougle, Reardon, & Coleman, 2005;
Hamana et al., 2010). College populations have been generally excluded from abortion research,
even though, in 2007, 57% of women obtaining abortions were between the ages of 20 and 30
years (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). This study intended to measure the influence of induced
abortion on the current mental health status of college women and describe the characteristics of
women obtaining abortions. An online survey was administered to female college students (N=
46). The participants were divided into two pregnancy outcome groups: (1) women who reported
a history of fetal deliveries, and (2) women who reported a history of abortion. Each group was
asked if abortion or fetal delivery contributed to their current mental health status. Independent
variables included the participants’ pregnancy outcome (abortion vs. delivery) and establishing if
abortion/fetal delivery contributed to current mental health (yes/no answer). The dependent
variables included current psychological distress symptoms as measured by the nine primary
symptom dimensions of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. The data were analyzed using a
two-way mixed-design MANOVA. Evidence indicated that psychological symptoms were not
dependent on respondents’ perception of whether or not current mental health was affected by
pregnancy outcome. This study does not support public policies or practice based on the belief
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that abortion emotionally harms women. Further research should concentrate in strategies to
prevent unwanted pregnancy in order to reduce the need for abortion.
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DEDICATION

For my best friend, sweet husband, and love of my life, Eduardo Cruz. Without all of your
endless hours of support, active listening, and genuine interest in my career, I would have not
followed through with this thesis.

Para mi madre, Yarima Niño. Sin tu ejemplo de perseverancia, tu preocupación por mi bienestar,
y tu bondadoso amor materno, no alcanzaría las metas que me propongo. Siempre te admiraré.

Para mi padre, Sandro Bologna. Sin tu apoyo emocional y económico, no hubiese comenzado ni
terminado mi educación. Sé que tu amor lo expresas diferente. Cada momento que escuchaste
mis inquietudes, trataste de entender mis problemas, y me diste tus mejores consejos, me diste
fuerza para alcanzar mis metas.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First and foremost, I would like to thank my faculty advisor, Dr. H. Edward Fouty Jr. for
his immense contribution, his wise advice, his incredible vast knowledge, and his amazing sense
of humor that always kept me in perspective. Without his mentoring, dedication, and patience, I
would have not completed this thesis. Thank you, Dr. Fouty, for giving me opportunities to excel
academically, for trusting my capabilities, and for boosting my confidence.

I would also like to thank my peer and friend Kaylin Ratner. Her knowledge and support
during the data analysis greatly impacted my thesis.

My deep appreciation goes to my thesis committee members, Dr. Ronald Morrison, Dr.
Margaret Kennerley, and Ms. Leslee D’Amato-Kubiet. Thank you for taking time to provide me
with guidance, input, and valuable time.

Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Steven L. Berman for providing helpful feedback on my
thesis and proofreading my abstract in preparation for a conference.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................ x
LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................... xi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................... 1
Trauma and Women’s Mental Health ......................................................................................... 1
College Women’s Mental Health ................................................................................................ 4
Birth and Pregnancy Mental Health Issues ................................................................................. 5
Abortion and Mental Health Consequences ............................................................................... 6
The Role of Coexistent Factors................................................................................................. 12
Statement of Significance ......................................................................................................... 15
Statement of the Hypothesis ..................................................................................................... 16
CHAPTER TWO: METHOD ....................................................................................................... 17
Participants ................................................................................................................................ 17
Materials ................................................................................................................................... 19
Procedure .................................................................................................................................. 21
CHAPTER THREE: RESULTS ................................................................................................... 23
Primary Analysis ....................................................................................................................... 23
Secondary Analyses .................................................................................................................. 23
Decisiveness. ......................................................................................................................... 24
Grief. ..................................................................................................................................... 25
Guilt. ..................................................................................................................................... 26
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Happiness. ............................................................................................................................. 27
Hope ...................................................................................................................................... 28
Loss. ...................................................................................................................................... 29
Optimism............................................................................................................................... 30
Regret. ................................................................................................................................... 31
Relief. .................................................................................................................................... 32
Sadness. ................................................................................................................................. 33
Satisfaction. ........................................................................................................................... 34
Shame. ................................................................................................................................... 35
Ancillary Analysis .................................................................................................................... 36
CHAPTER FOUR: DISCUSSION ............................................................................................... 43
Primary Hypothesis ................................................................................................................... 43
Decisiveness .............................................................................................................................. 45
Grief .......................................................................................................................................... 46
Guilt .......................................................................................................................................... 46
Happiness .................................................................................................................................. 47
Hope .......................................................................................................................................... 47
Loss ........................................................................................................................................... 48
Optimism................................................................................................................................... 48
Regret ........................................................................................................................................ 49
Relief ......................................................................................................................................... 49
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Sadness ...................................................................................................................................... 50
Satisfaction ................................................................................................................................ 50
Shame ........................................................................................................................................ 51
Impact and contribution ............................................................................................................ 52
Strengths and Limitations ......................................................................................................... 54
Areas for future research ........................................................................................................... 55
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 56
APPENDIX A: IRB APPROVAL FOR HUMAN RESEARCH ................................................. 57
APPENDIX B: EXPLANATION OF RESEARCH ..................................................................... 59
APPENDIX C: SURVEY ............................................................................................................. 61
APPENDIX D: SCL-90-R ............................................................................................................ 83
APPENDIX E: ANOVA TABLES ............................................................................................... 86
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 91

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