The psychosocial outcome of induced abortion.

The psycho-social outcome of induced abortion was assessed in 64 women after eight weeks and in 86 women after eight months. Three groups were identified. About 5 per cent had enduring, severe psychiatric disturbance following abortion. Women especially at risk were those with a previous psychiatric or abnormal obstetric history or with physical grounds for abortion and those expressing ambivalence towards abortion. Short-lived disturbances affected about half of all abortion patients. These symptoms included initial guilt and regrets and sensitivity to the comments of people around them which relate to abortion. The third group of women experienced no adverse sequelae. It is suggested that an awareness of the risk factors should lead to the instigation of more adequate counselling and support for those women who need it.