Psychological Research on Psychological Research on Abortion and its Dubious Abortion and its Dubious

Influence on Policy Makers Influence on Policy Makers

Myretha McInnis Myretha McInnis

November 8November 8thth

Overview Overview

Relevant philosophical views on abortionRelevant philosophical views on abortion The state of abortion in the Canadian The state of abortion in the Canadian

legal systemlegal system Some relevant psychology research Some relevant psychology research The debate on morals and psychological The debate on morals and psychological

researchresearch Definition – the term ‘abortion’ will refer Definition – the term ‘abortion’ will refer

to only induced abortions and not to only induced abortions and not spontaneous abortions in this spontaneous abortions in this presentation presentation

Philosophy and Abortion Philosophy and Abortion

the moral status of the fetus the moral status of the fetus Sumner (1974) Sumner (1974)

Conservative view on abortion - the fetus is a human Conservative view on abortion - the fetus is a human being thus abortion is the moral equivalent of murder being thus abortion is the moral equivalent of murder and should therefore never be accepted unless the life and should therefore never be accepted unless the life of the mother is in danger. of the mother is in danger.

Liberalist view of abortion - the fetus has no moral Liberalist view of abortion - the fetus has no moral value, therefore the question of abortion has no moral value, therefore the question of abortion has no moral value. Abortion is acceptable unless it puts the woman value. Abortion is acceptable unless it puts the woman in danger. in danger.

Moderate view - the fetus only has moral value after it Moderate view - the fetus only has moral value after it develops and central nervous system (allowing for develops and central nervous system (allowing for sensations of pain) and a brain. Therefore, anytime sensations of pain) and a brain. Therefore, anytime before this development an abortion should be before this development an abortion should be permissible and anytime after this development, an permissible and anytime after this development, an abortion should not be allowed.abortion should not be allowed.

Philosophy and Abortion con’t Philosophy and Abortion con’t Sherwin (1991) - an account of the feminist perspective. Sherwin (1991) - an account of the feminist perspective.

The three above mentioned views on abortion are The three above mentioned views on abortion are incomplete because they ignore the pregnant woman as an incomplete because they ignore the pregnant woman as an active member of the relationship. She is opposed to the active member of the relationship. She is opposed to the tendency of these discussions to see the pregnant woman tendency of these discussions to see the pregnant woman as being a passive vessel for the fetusas being a passive vessel for the fetus

The moral status of the fetus is irrelevant.The moral status of the fetus is irrelevant. Only the pregnant woman can know if the fetus she carries Only the pregnant woman can know if the fetus she carries

should be brought to term or terminated because she is the should be brought to term or terminated because she is the only person who can know her situation. only person who can know her situation.

Conservative view of abortion is typically referred to as Conservative view of abortion is typically referred to as the pro-life position the pro-life position

Liberalist, moderate and feminist views are often Liberalist, moderate and feminist views are often considered pro-choice position on abortion. considered pro-choice position on abortion.

Abortion and the LawAbortion and the Law

1988 - abortion was completely removed 1988 - abortion was completely removed from Canadian criminal law. from Canadian criminal law. (M. Ramsay, personal communication, (M. Ramsay, personal communication, November 11, 2005)November 11, 2005)

It is not illegal for women in Canada to It is not illegal for women in Canada to receive an abortion receive an abortion

She also does not have a right to an abortion She also does not have a right to an abortion Women in Canada can receive an abortion at any Women in Canada can receive an abortion at any

time during her pregnancy. time during her pregnancy. Because there is no right to an abortion in Because there is no right to an abortion in

Canada, hospitals do not have to ensure that they Canada, hospitals do not have to ensure that they staff a doctor who will perform abortions. staff a doctor who will perform abortions.

Provinces are not required to fund any abortionsProvinces are not required to fund any abortions

The cost for an abortion at a Morgentaler private The cost for an abortion at a Morgentaler private clinic can cost anywhere from $300 to $900 clinic can cost anywhere from $300 to $900 (Morgentaler, (Morgentaler, 1998).1998).

Not all provinces have private clinics for abortions. Not all provinces have private clinics for abortions. Most are located in large cities, not in rural areas, Most are located in large cities, not in rural areas,

this limits access to abortions for some (i.e. the poor this limits access to abortions for some (i.e. the poor who live in rural areas) and not for others.who live in rural areas) and not for others. The Canadian health Act requires that Canadian The Canadian health Act requires that Canadian

citizens should have equal access to health care citizens should have equal access to health care procedures procedures (Government of Canada, Canada Health Act)(Government of Canada, Canada Health Act)

Therefore some standard must be agreed upon by Therefore some standard must be agreed upon by the federal government in order to insure equal the federal government in order to insure equal treatment of all women regarding abortion treatment of all women regarding abortion policies. policies.

Psychological research on Abortion Psychological research on Abortion

Nordal Broen, et al (2005) Nordal Broen, et al (2005) Emotional distress after an abortion (10 days, 6 Emotional distress after an abortion (10 days, 6

moths, and 2 years after their abortions) N= 80 – moths, and 2 years after their abortions) N= 80 – Location, Norway.Location, Norway. Researchers related the emotional distress of women at Researchers related the emotional distress of women at

these times to the reasons women give for having an these times to the reasons women give for having an abortion.abortion.

Strongest relationship to a negative outcome for women Strongest relationship to a negative outcome for women was reporting the reason for abortion as “pressure from was reporting the reason for abortion as “pressure from male partner” similarly the reason “male does not want a male partner” similarly the reason “male does not want a child at the moment” was also strongly correlated to child at the moment” was also strongly correlated to negative effects. negative effects.

This research implies that outcomes of abortion may be This research implies that outcomes of abortion may be linked to issues besides the abortion itselflinked to issues besides the abortion itself

What issues might be linked to these findings What issues might be linked to these findings other then the abortion?other then the abortion?

State-funded abortions versus deliveries: A State-funded abortions versus deliveries: A comparison of outpatient mental health claims over comparison of outpatient mental health claims over

4 years (Coleman et al. 2002)4 years (Coleman et al. 2002) N = 249,625 – Location, CaliforniaN = 249,625 – Location, California A comparison of abortions and live births on participants A comparison of abortions and live births on participants

mental health.mental health. First time mental health claims with diagnosis of one or First time mental health claims with diagnosis of one or

more of the following; more of the following; adjustment reactions, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, adjustment reactions, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety,

non-organic psychoses, alcohol and drug abuse, psychalgia, non-organic psychoses, alcohol and drug abuse, psychalgia, acute stress reactions and schizophrenia. acute stress reactions and schizophrenia.

Women who have a history of abortion have a significantly Women who have a history of abortion have a significantly higher rate of first time outpatient treatment then women higher rate of first time outpatient treatment then women who gave birth. (this is true, 90 days, 180 days, 1 year, and who gave birth. (this is true, 90 days, 180 days, 1 year, and 2 years after the target event, but there was no significance 2 years after the target event, but there was no significance after the 3rd and 4th years). after the 3rd and 4th years).

Diagnosis that were found to be significant were; Diagnosis that were found to be significant were; adjustment reaction, bipolar disorder, neurotic depression, adjustment reaction, bipolar disorder, neurotic depression, and schizophrenic disorder. and schizophrenic disorder. Implications – a woman found to have one of the above Implications – a woman found to have one of the above

diagnosis might be part of a population that is more prone to diagnosis might be part of a population that is more prone to negative adjustment after an abortion. negative adjustment after an abortion.

‘‘Violence in the lives of women having abortions: implications for Violence in the lives of women having abortions: implications for practice and policy’ (Felipe Russo, & Denious, 2001)practice and policy’ (Felipe Russo, & Denious, 2001)

N= 2,525 – Location, USAN= 2,525 – Location, USA Question; Is there a relation of increased violence in the lives of Question; Is there a relation of increased violence in the lives of

women who have abortions? Even when variables are controlled?women who have abortions? Even when variables are controlled? Other variables include: race (white v. other women), income, Other variables include: race (white v. other women), income,

education, marital status, and parental status (i.e. having education, marital status, and parental status (i.e. having children under the age of 18 living in the home) children under the age of 18 living in the home)

Violence variables include: childhood physical and sexual Violence variables include: childhood physical and sexual abuse, partner violence, and rape. abuse, partner violence, and rape.

Abortion is related to increased violence Abortion is related to increased violence These women are more likely to have partners who refuse to These women are more likely to have partners who refuse to

were condomswere condoms Abortion is related to psychological distress (such as Abortion is related to psychological distress (such as

suicide ideation, anxiety or depression and lower life suicide ideation, anxiety or depression and lower life satisfaction).satisfaction).

Once variables such as race, education, having a violent Once variables such as race, education, having a violent partner, a history of physical or sexual abuse and/or a history partner, a history of physical or sexual abuse and/or a history of rape and sexual assault were controlled for, abortion was no of rape and sexual assault were controlled for, abortion was no longer correlated with psychological distress longer correlated with psychological distress

Born Unwanted: Observations from the Prague study Born Unwanted: Observations from the Prague study (David, Dytrych, & Matejcek, 2003)(David, Dytrych, & Matejcek, 2003)

N= 220 pairs – location – Prague (Czech Republic)N= 220 pairs – location – Prague (Czech Republic) Unwanted pregnancy = mother applied to have an abortion and was deniedUnwanted pregnancy = mother applied to have an abortion and was denied ‘‘unwanted pregnancy’ (UP) in a longitudinal study (birth to age 35). unwanted pregnancy’ (UP) in a longitudinal study (birth to age 35). Includes a group of children who were accepted- pregnancies (AP). Includes a group of children who were accepted- pregnancies (AP).

These AP were pair-matched with the UP children. These AP were pair-matched with the UP children. UP and AP children were compared with their siblings at follow ups UP and AP children were compared with their siblings at follow ups

4 and 5 (ages 30 and 35 respectively). 4 and 5 (ages 30 and 35 respectively). Age 30 (1992-1993) - UP adults were found to have less Age 30 (1992-1993) - UP adults were found to have less

favorable psychosocial adaptations then the AP adults. favorable psychosocial adaptations then the AP adults. Siblings of the UP children had lower scores on scales such as Siblings of the UP children had lower scores on scales such as

lower scores on social integration scales (based on, absence lower scores on social integration scales (based on, absence from criminality, and alcohol abuse, etc.) from criminality, and alcohol abuse, etc.)

There were non-shared effects among males siblings as well, There were non-shared effects among males siblings as well, such as on anxiety and depression scales (UP child scored such as on anxiety and depression scales (UP child scored similarly to their sibling and to AP males). In females however, similarly to their sibling and to AP males). In females however, the reverse was found.the reverse was found.

Age 35 (1996-1997) – UP adults were found to have become Age 35 (1996-1997) – UP adults were found to have become psychiatric patients more often then both the AP adults and psychiatric patients more often then both the AP adults and their siblings. UP adults and their siblings were found to be their siblings. UP adults and their siblings were found to be under-socialized in comparison to the AP adults and their under-socialized in comparison to the AP adults and their siblings. siblings.

From the limited research available on From the limited research available on children who are born unwanted and are children who are born unwanted and are raised by their birth mothers, it would seem raised by their birth mothers, it would seem that there are negative outcomes for these that there are negative outcomes for these children when compared to children of children when compared to children of accepted pregnancies and when compared accepted pregnancies and when compared to their own siblings on some measures. to their own siblings on some measures. However, there are similarities in the scores However, there are similarities in the scores of UP adults and their siblings that indicate of UP adults and their siblings that indicate a common environmental effect on their a common environmental effect on their development. development.

In general psychological research In general psychological research seems to indicate that the negative seems to indicate that the negative effects often seen after a woman has effects often seen after a woman has an abortion may be due to other an abortion may be due to other factors such as; abuse, being factors such as; abuse, being coerced into having an abortion, or coerced into having an abortion, or preexisting dispositions that make it preexisting dispositions that make it more likely for them to suffer from more likely for them to suffer from negative diagnosis (i.e. depression). negative diagnosis (i.e. depression).

Implications of psychological Implications of psychological research for public policy makersresearch for public policy makers

Any Guesses?Any Guesses?

Psychology and the Ethics of Social Psychology and the Ethics of Social Policy (Kendler, 1993)Policy (Kendler, 1993)

Because of the empirical nature of most psychological Because of the empirical nature of most psychological research, it can not be used to guide moral debates. research, it can not be used to guide moral debates.

Kendler writes that even when a moral question seems to Kendler writes that even when a moral question seems to be ‘proven’ by research, it is not. Research can not prove a be ‘proven’ by research, it is not. Research can not prove a moral to be right or wrong. moral to be right or wrong.

An example: evidence supporting the benefits of An example: evidence supporting the benefits of segregating children on the bases of language – even segregating children on the bases of language – even though their test scores may go up when segregated this though their test scores may go up when segregated this does not ‘prove’ that children SHOULD be segregated. This does not ‘prove’ that children SHOULD be segregated. This is a moral question.is a moral question.

Kendler makes a distinction between better and good.Kendler makes a distinction between better and good. Applied to the topic of abortion- it may be better for Applied to the topic of abortion- it may be better for

woman if she is given complete say over her woman if she is given complete say over her reproduction, but the question of whether that is good or reproduction, but the question of whether that is good or not can not be answered with empirical researchnot can not be answered with empirical research

It is stated in the Canadian Code of It is stated in the Canadian Code of Ethics (IV)- researchers have a Ethics (IV)- researchers have a responsibility to society. responsibility to society. it can be assumed that it was this it can be assumed that it was this

principle that Felipe Russo and Denious principle that Felipe Russo and Denious were appealing to when they wrote the were appealing to when they wrote the section “implications for public policy” in section “implications for public policy” in their study. their study.

Graduate Studies Graduate Studies Marc Ramsay Ph.D.Marc Ramsay Ph.D.

Acadia University Acadia University

Interests include: Interests include: Ethics and philosophy of law, including constitutional rights and Ethics and philosophy of law, including constitutional rights and judicial review, children's rights, philosophical issues in the private law, and judicial review, children's rights, philosophical issues in the private law, and theories of equality.theories of equality.

Ishtiyaque H. Haji Ph.D.Ishtiyaque H. Haji Ph.D.University of Calgary University of Calgary

Interests include: Ethical theory, action theory, philosophical psychology, Interests include: Ethical theory, action theory, philosophical psychology, free will and moral responsibility. free will and moral responsibility.

Elizabeth E. Brake Ph.D.Elizabeth E. Brake Ph.D.University of Calgary University of Calgary

Interests include: Ethics, political philosophy, and feminist philosophy. Interests include: Ethics, political philosophy, and feminist philosophy.

ReferencesReferences

Coleman, P.K., Reardon, D.C., Rue, V.M., & Cougle, J. (2002). State-Coleman, P.K., Reardon, D.C., Rue, V.M., & Cougle, J. (2002). State-funded abortions versus deliveries: A comparison of outpatient mental funded abortions versus deliveries: A comparison of outpatient mental health claims over four years. health claims over four years. American journal of orthopsychiatry, 72American journal of orthopsychiatry, 72 (1), 141-152.(1), 141-152.

David, H.P., Dytrych, Z., & Matejcek, Z. (2003). Born unwanted: David, H.P., Dytrych, Z., & Matejcek, Z. (2003). Born unwanted: Observations from the Prague study. Observations from the Prague study. American psychologist, 58American psychologist, 58 (3), (3), 224-229.224-229.

Felipe Russo, N., & Denious, J.E. (2001). Violence in the lives of women Felipe Russo, N., & Denious, J.E. (2001). Violence in the lives of women having having abortions: Implications for practice and Public Policy. abortions: Implications for practice and Public Policy. Professional Professional psychology:psychology:Research and practice, 32 Research and practice, 32 (2), 142-150.(2), 142-150.

Government of Canada, Canada Health Act. In E.H.W. Kluge (Ed.) Government of Canada, Canada Health Act. In E.H.W. Kluge (Ed.) Readings in biomedical ethics: A Canadian focus Readings in biomedical ethics: A Canadian focus (3(3rdrd ed.). (pp. 52-57). ed.). (pp. 52-57). Toronto, Ontario: Pearson.Toronto, Ontario: Pearson.

Kendler, H.H. (1993). Psychology and the ethics of social policy. Kendler, H.H. (1993). Psychology and the ethics of social policy. American American psychologist, 48 psychologist, 48 (10), 1046-1053.(10), 1046-1053.

Morgentaler, H. 1998, The Morgentaler Clinic. Retrieved November 3, Morgentaler, H. 1998, The Morgentaler Clinic. Retrieved November 3, 2005, from http://morgentaler.ca/morgentaler.htm2005, from http://morgentaler.ca/morgentaler.htm

Nordal Broen, A., Moum, T., Sejersted Bödtker, A., & Ekeberg, Ö. (2005). Nordal Broen, A., Moum, T., Sejersted Bödtker, A., & Ekeberg, Ö. (2005). Reasons for induced abortion and their relation to women’s Reasons for induced abortion and their relation to women’s emotional distress: a prospective, two-year follow-up study. emotional distress: a prospective, two-year follow-up study. General General hospital psychiatry, 27, hospital psychiatry, 27, 36-43.36-43.

Sherwin, S. (1991). Abortion through a feminist ethics lens. In E.H.W. Sherwin, S. (1991). Abortion through a feminist ethics lens. In E.H.W. Kluge (Ed.) Kluge (Ed.) Readings in biomedical ethics: A Canadian focus Readings in biomedical ethics: A Canadian focus (3(3rdrd ed.). ed.). (pp. 339 – 352). Toronto, Ontario: Pearson.(pp. 339 – 352). Toronto, Ontario: Pearson.

Sumner, L.W. (1974). Toward a credible view of abortion. In E.H.W. Sumner, L.W. (1974). Toward a credible view of abortion. In E.H.W. Kluge (Ed.), Kluge (Ed.), Readings in biomedical ethics: A Canadian focus Readings in biomedical ethics: A Canadian focus (3(3rdrd ed.). ed.). (pp. 324-339). Toronto, Ontario: Pearson. (pp. 324-339). Toronto, Ontario: Pearson.