Access to Abortion in the U.S. and Its Impact on Mental Health
States where abortion is banned in 2024
Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia
Mental health impact of abortion
The topic of abortion is not just about rights; it's also about ensuring access to healthcare for millions of pregnant people across the country. Reproductive healthcare is important because it allows pregnant individuals to have choices. Whatever decision they make, it significantly impacts their lives and can affect their relationships with partners, friends, and family. It also has financial implications, as it can increase the cost of care for pregnancy or raising children while also reducing government assistance available to those in need, such as those who rely on Medicaid, which often does not cover abortion services. Additionally, being pregnant can be harsh on the body, and as we've seen, maternal mortality rates are on the rise for Black/African American women due to systemic and medical racism.
More than 50 years of international psychological research shows that having an abortion is not linked to mental health problems, but restricting access to safe, legal abortions does cause harm.
Now to throw out some facts about abortion
“In a study by Payne et al., abor-tion was not found to be a psychological trauma in and of itself, and most women did not have prolonged emotional con-flict; interpersonal and socioenviron-mental factors appeared to be more cen-tral in determining a woman’s response to abortion “ (#Arboleda)
Introduction
Abortion… Now that I got your attention, let's talk about it. Abortion is one of the topics that should be approached with compassion and care and maybe consideration. Yet here we are in the year 2024, still loudly protesting for bodily autonomy. To break it down there are two options ; pro choice and anti choice. Pro-choice feels that pregnant people should have a choice and a right over their own bodies and reproductive systems, and believes that they should be the ones to decide if they want to have children. Anti-Choice views abortion as an offense against humanity, often stemming from extreme religious beliefs. Since the overturning of Roe, we have watched rights stripped away from victims of sexual assault. Most of the states listed above, have a ban with no exceptions for rape and incest.
Stigma
What is a stigma? It is defined as negative beliefs or biases surrounding an issue. The word abortion and the stigma surrounding it making this subject hard for people to talk about. This leads us back to the point.When we talk about abortion stigma, we're talking about how difficult it is for those who are pregnant to be open about their decision-making process without being judged. This stigma impacts health care in a whole, not just OBGYN’s but mental health care is affected.
This impact is even greater in the communities of marginalized populations such as black women , those who are low-income and LGBTQIA.
Many people face extra challenges when trying to access safe and legal abortion services and feel a lot of shame and stigma around their decision to have an abortion. This stigma can make those seeking abortion feel guilty, undignified, and alone. It also makes it hard for people who have had abortions to get the care and support they need afterwards.
Mental health impact of abortion denial
In a comparison longitudinal study, women who had abortions to women who were denied access… The women had reported higher levels of anxiety, lower levels of self esteem and lower satisfaction in life with lower suicidality rates compared to those who obtained abortions. “However, women who were denied abortion and had subsequent births showed a less steep decline in baseline depression or anxiety symptoms than those who did have an abortion” (Arboleda).
In conclusion
In wrapping up, it's clear that the topic of abortion is not only sensitive and controversial but also deeply intertwined with mental health and overall well-being. The accessibility of safe and legal abortion services stands as a crucial element for fostering positive health outcomes. When access is restricted, the adverse effects ripple out, touching individuals, families, and the broader society in significant ways. The stigma that often shadows abortion, coupled with the unequal availability of services, presents additional challenges that need urgent attention. It's vital that people have the means to obtain accurate information and the support they require when navigating decisions related to their reproductive health. Equally, ensuring that safe and legal abortion services are within reach, without the looming threats of judgment or legal backlash, is essential. The ongoing debate about abortion underscores the necessity for approaches that are both compassionate and rooted in solid evidence when it comes to reproductive health. Protecting and broadening access to safe and legal abortion services is not just about improving individual and community health; it's about moving towards a more just and equitable society.
References
Abrams, Z. (2023, April 21). The facts about abortion and mental health. Monitor on Psychology. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/09/news-facts-abortion-mental-health
Arboleda, N. N. (2024). Mental Health Implications of Abortion and Abortion Restriction: A Brief Narrative Review of U.S. Longitudinal Studies. American Journal of Psychiatry Residents’ Journal, 20(1), 11–15. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2024.200106
Choi, A., & Cole, D. (2024, October 7). See where abortions are banned and legal — And where it’s still in limbo. CNN. Retrieved October 17, 2024, from https://www.cnn.com/us/abortion-access-restrictions-bans-us-dg/index.html