Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Critical Psychophysical Passages in the Life of a Woman pp 229–249Cite as

Psychodynamics of Abortion Regression or Rebirth?

  • Chapter

  • 111 Accesses

Abstract

To date, epidemiological and sociodemographic research characterize much of the literature on abortion. Psychological research is typically of a social-personality nature where psychological factors or attitudes toward abortion are articulated and related as correlates of the abortion experience. Research methodology of this type tends to compromise the multidimensionality and mutual interaction between the social, psychological, and physiological matrix of abortion decision-making and sequelae. Due to the lack of longitudinal studies and other methodological shortcomings in the abortion literature, there is little empirical evidence concerning the psychological aspects of abortion.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abernathy, V. (1973). The abortion constellation. Archives of General Psychiatry, 29, 346–350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alan Guttmacher Institute (1976). 11 Million teenagers. New York: Alan Guttmacher Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alan Guttmacher Institute (1981). Teenage pregnancy: The problem that hasn’t gone away. New York: Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allgeier, A. R., Allgeier, E. R., & Rywick, T. (1981). Orientations toward abortion: Guilt or knowledge? Adolescence, 16 (62), 273–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Athanasiou, R., Oppel, W., Michelson, L., Unger, T., & Yager, M. (1973). Psychiatric sequelae to term birth and induced early and late abortion: A longitudinal study. Family Planning Perspectives, 5, 227–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babikian, A., & Goldman, A. (1971). A study of teenage pregnancy. American Journal of Psychiatry, 28 (6), 755–760.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin, W. (1977). Adolescent pregnancy and childbearing–Growing conscious for Americans. Population Bulletin, 31, 34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnartt, S. N., & Harris, R. J. (1982). Recent changes in predictors of abortion attitudes. Sociology and Social Research, 66 (3), 320–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belsey, E. M., Greer, H. S., Lal, S., Lewis, S. C., & Beard, R. W. (1977). Predictive factors in emotional response to abortion. King’s termination study IV. Social Science and Medicine, 2, 71–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blos, P. (1969). Three typical constellations in female delinquency. In O. Pollak & A. Friedman (Eds.), Family dynamics and female sexual delinquency (pp. 99–100 ). Palo Alto, CA: Science and Behavior Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blumenfield, M. (1978). Psychological factors involved in request for elective abortion. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 39, 17–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolter, S. (1962). The psychiatrist’s role in therapeutic abortion: The unwitting accomplice. American Journal of Psychiatry, 119, 312–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, D. (1977). Social psychology and the study of sexual behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 3, 3030.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calderone, M. (Ed.) (1958). Abortion in the United States. New York: Hoeber–Harper. Carlsson, M., & Hamilton, G. (1970). 53 “abortrecidiv” 1969. Stencil. Uppsala läns ländstings familjeradgivnings–byra, Uppsala.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavenar, J. O., Maltbie, A. A., & Sullivan, J. L. (1978). Aftermath of abortion: Anniversary depression and abdominal pain. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 42 (5), 433–438.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, L., & Roth, S. (1984). Coping with abortion. Journal of Human Stress, 10 (3), 140–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cullhed, S. (1971). Abortion in New York City: Preliminary experience with a permissive abortion statute. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 39, 649–660.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corenblum, B. (1973). Locus of control, latitude of acceptance and attitudes towards abortion. Psychological Reports, 32, 753–754.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daily, E., Nicholas, N., Nelson, F., & Paxter, J. (1973). Repeat abortions in New York City 1970–1972. Family Planning Perspectives, 5, 89–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David, H. (1972). Abortion in psychological perspective. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 42 (1), 61–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David, H. (1978). Psychosocial studies of abortion in the United States, In: David, H. P., Friedman, H. L., van der Tak, J., Sevilla, M. J. (Eds.): Abortion in psychosocial perspective. New York: Springer—Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunbar, R. (1954). The psychosomatic approach to abortion and the abortion habit. In: Rosen, H. (ed.), Therapeutic Abortion. New York: The Julian Press, Inc., 22–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dudar, H. (1973). Abortion for the asking. Saturday Review of Society, 30–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ebaugh, F., & Hauser, K. (1947). Psychiatric aspects of therapeutic abortion. Postgraduate Medicine, 2, 325–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisen, M., Zellman, G. L., Leibowitz, A., Chow, W. K., & Evans, J. R. (1983). Factors discriminating pregnancy resolution decisions of unmarried adolescents. Genetic Psychology Monographs, 108, 69–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekblad, M. (1955). Induced abortion on psychiatric grounds. Acta Psychiatrica et Neurologica Scandinavica, Supplement, 99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewing, H. A., & Rouse, B. A. (1973). Therapeutic abortion and a prior psychiatric history. American Journal of Psychiatry, 130 (1), 37–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett, J. (Ed.) (1973). Psychological perspectives on population. New York: Basic Books. Fingerer, M. E. (1973). Psychological sequelae of abortion: Anxiety and depression. Journal of Community Psychology, 1(2), 221–225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finkel, M., & Finkel, D. (1975). Sexual and contraceptive knowledge, attitudes and behavior of male adolescents. Family Planning Perspectives, 7, 256–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, E., & Farina, A. (1978). Attitude toward abortion and attitude–relevant overt behavior. Social Forces, 57 (2), 585–599.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, N. (1974). Multiple induced abortions–A psychoanalytic case study. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 22, 394–407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischmann, S. (1975). The pregnancy resolution decisions of unwed adolescents. Nursing Clinics of North America, 10, 217–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischmann, S. (1977). Delivery of abortion in inner–city adolescents. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 47, 127–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fleck, S. (1970). Some psychiatric aspects of abortion. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 151, 42–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Floyd, J., & Viney, L. (1974). Ego identity and ego ideal in the unwed mother. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 47, 273–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ford, C. V., Castelnuovo–Tedesco, P., & Long, K. D. (1972). Women who seek therapeutic abortion compared with women completing pregnancy. American Journal of Psychiatry, 129, 546–552.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forrest, J., Tietze, C., & Sullivan, E. (1978). Abortion in the United States, 1976–1977. Family Planning Perspectives, 10 (5), 271–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franke, L. B. (1978). The ambivalence of abortion. New York: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, E. W. (1977). Influence of personality attributes on abortion experiences. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 47 (3), 503–512.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, C. M., Greenspan, R., & Mittleman, F. (1977). The decision–making process and the outcome of therapeutic abortion. In R. Kalman (Ed.), Abortion. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galdston, I. (1958). Other aspects of the abortion problem. In M. Calderone (Ed.), Abortion in the United States (pp. 117–121 ). New York: Hoeber and Harper.

    Google Scholar 

  • George, E. I. (1980). An empirical study of medical termination of pregnancy. Psychological Studies, 25 (2), 118–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibb, G. D., & Millard, R. J. (1981). Research on repeated abortion: State of the field: 19731979. Psychological Reports, 48, 415–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibb, G. D., & Millard, R. J. (1982). Divergent perspectives in abortion counseling. Psychological Reports, 50 (3, Pt. 1), 819–822.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gillis, A., & Marsjalek, M. (1971). Unwanted pregnancies. Newcastle Medical Journal, 31, 196–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gisbert, M., & Falk, R. (1978). Adolescent sexual activity: Contraception and abortion. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 132, 620–628.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graves, W., & Bradshaw, B. (1964). Some social and attitudinal factors associated with contraceptive choice among low income black teenagers after an illegitimate birth. Advances in Planned Parenthood, 9, 28–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greer, H. S., Lal, S., Lewis, S. C., Belsey, E. M., & Beard, R. W. (1976). Psychosocial consequences of therapeutic abortion. King’s termination study III. British Journal of Psychiatry, 128, 74–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halmosh, E. (1975). Postpartum emotional trouble (In Hebrew). Harefuah, 52, 142–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinrich, R. F., & Bobrowsky, R. P. (1984). In Transitional Family Research Institute, Abortion Research Notes, 14, 1–2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henshaw, S. K., Binkin, N. J., Blaine, E., & Smith, J. C. (1985). A portrait of American–women who obtain abortions. Family Planning Perspectives, 17, 90–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hilton, I., & Kunkes, C. (1980). Adolescent pregnancy: Causes, risks and social implications. Paper presented at grand rounds in adolescent psychiatry, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Illsley, R., & Hall, M. H. (1976). Psychosocial aspects of abortion. Bulletin, World Health Organization, 52, 83–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobsson, L., & Solheim, F. (1975). Women’s experience of the abortion procedure. Social Psychiatry, 10, 155–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobsson, L., von Schoultz, B., & Solheim, F. (1976). Repeat aborters–first aborters, a social–psychiatric comparison. Social Psychiatry, 11, 75–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kane, F., & Lachenbruch, P. A. (1973). Motivational factors in abortion patients. American Journal of Psychiatry, 130, 290–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinch, R., Wearing, M. P., Love, E. J., & McMahon, D. (1969). Some aspects of pediatric illegitimacy. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 105, 20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, R., & Robson, K. (1978). Previous induced abortion and ante–natal depression in primiparae: Preliminary report of a survey of mental health of pregnancy. Psychological Medicine, 8, 711–715.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kummer, J. (1963). Post–abortion psychiatric illness–A myth? American Journal of Psychiatry, 119, 980–983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lackey, H. S., & Barry, J. R. (1973). A measure of attitudes toward abortion. Journal of Community Psychology, 1 (1), 31–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lask, B. (1975). Short–term psychiatric sequelae of therapeutic termination of pregnancy. British Journal of Psychiatry, 126, 173–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lebonsohn, M. (1977). Legal abortion as a positive mental health measure in family planning, In R. Kalman (Ed.), Abortion. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levene, H. I., & Rigney, F. J. (1970). Law, preventive psychiatry and therapeutic abortion. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 150 (1), 51–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levering, C. S. (1983). Teenage pregnancy and parenthood. Childhood Education, 59(3), 182–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipper, S., & Feigenbaum, W. M. (1976). Obsessive–compulsive neurosis after viewing the fetus during therapeutic abortion. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 30 (4), 666–674.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luker, K. (1975). Taking chances: Abortion and the decision not to contracept. Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, C. (1973). Psychological problems of abortion for the unwed teenage girl. Genetic Psychology Monographs, 88, 23–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyerowitz, S., Satloff, A., & Romano, J. (1971). Induced abortion for psychiatric indication. American Journal of Psychiatry, 127 (9), 1153–1160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monsour, K., & Stewart, B. (1973). Abortion and sexual behavior in college women. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 43, 804–814.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, H. A. (1943). Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noble, D. (1968). Psychiatric problems in therapeutic abortion. In R. C. Allen, E. Z. Ferster, & J. G. Rubin (Eds.), Reading in law and psychiatry. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Leary, K. M., Shore, M. F., & Wieder, S. (1984). Contracting pregnant adolescents. Are we missing cues? Social Casework, 65 (5), 297–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • lley, P. C. (1970). Age, marriage, personality and distress. A study of personality factors in women referred for therapeutic abortion. Seminars in Psychiatry, 2, 341–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osofsky, J., & Osofsky, H. (1977). The psychological reaction of patients to legalized abortion. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 42, 48–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oswalt, R. (1974). Sexual and contraceptive behavior of college females. Journal of the American College Health Association, 22, 392–394.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pare, C. M. B., & Raven, H. (1970). Follow—up of patients referred for termination. Lancet, I, 653–658.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patt, S. L., Rappaport, R. G., & Barglow, P. (1969). Follow–up of therapeutic interruption of pregnancy. Archives of General Psychiatry, 20, 408–414.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Payne, E. C., Kravitz, A. R., Norman, M. T., & Anderson, J. V. (1976). Outcome following therapeutic abortion. Archives of General Psychiatry, 33, 725–733.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pines, D. (1982). The relevance of early psychic development to pregnancy and abortion. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 63, 311–319.

    Google Scholar 

  • Potter, R., & Ford, K. (1976). Repeat abortion. Demography, 13, 65–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raphael, B. (1974). Youth in a world of change. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 8 (2), 131–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ray, J. J., & Lovejoy, F. H. (1982). Conservatism, attitude to abortion, and Maccobÿ s biophilia. The Journal of Social Psychology, 118, 143–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robbins, J. M. (1979). Objective versus subjective responses to abortion. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 47 (5), 994–995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, R. H., & Martindale, L. J. (1978). Sex role perceptions and the abortion decision. The Journal of Sex Research, 14 (4), 231–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, R. H., & Martindale, L. J. (1980). Abortion as “deviance”–traditional female roles vs. the feminist perspective. Social Psychiatry, 15, 103–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rothman, D. (1973). Habitual abortion and sexual conflict. Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality, 7, 56–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rovinsky, J. (1971). Abortion in New York City: Preliminary experience with a permissive abortion statute. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 39, 649–660.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rovinsky, J. (1972). Abortion recidivism: A problem in preventive medicine. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 39, 649–660.

    Google Scholar 

  • Semmens, J. P., & Lamers, W. M. (1968). Teenage pregnancy: Including management of emotional and constitutional problems. Springfield, IL: Bannerstone House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tietze, C. (1978). Teenage pregnancies: Looking ahead to 1984. Family Planning Perspectives, 10 (4), 205–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tollefson, G. D., & Garvey, M. J. (1983). Conversion disorder following termination of pregnancy. Journal of Family Medicine, 16 (1), 73–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tredgold, R. F. (1964). Psychiatric indications for termination of pregnancy. Lancet, 2, 1251–1254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagenaar, T. C., & Knol, I. W. (1977). Attitudes toward abortion: A comparative analysis of correlates for 1973 and 1975. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, IV (6).

    Google Scholar 

  • Walbert, D., & Butler, D. (1973). Abortion, society and the law. Cleveland: Case Western Reserve University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werman, D. S., & Raft, D. (1973). Some psychiatric problems related to therapeutic abortion. N.C. Medical Journal, 34 (4), 274–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winnik, H. Z. (1958). Therapeutic abortion (In Hebrew). Harefuah, 55, 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zelnick, M., Kantner, J., & Ford, K. (1981). Sex and pregnancy in adolescence. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ferkauf Graduate School, Yeshiva University-Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA

    Bonnie Robin Aronowitz Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology Candidate, Psychologist in Training)

  2. Neuropsychology Intern, Neurological Institute, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, USA

    Bonnie Robin Aronowitz Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology Candidate, Psychologist in Training)

  3. Psychology Intern, Postgraduate Center for Mental Health, New York, USA

    Bonnie Robin Aronowitz Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology Candidate, Psychologist in Training)

  4. New York City Police Department, New York, USA

    Bonnie Robin Aronowitz Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology Candidate, Psychologist in Training)

Authors
  1. Bonnie Robin Aronowitz Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Psychoanalytic Society of the Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, New York, New York, USA

    Joan Offerman-Zuckerberg Ph.D. (Founding Board Member Faculty and Supervisor) (Founding Board Member Faculty and Supervisor)

  2. Brooklyn Institute for Psychotherapy, Brooklyn, New York, USA

    Joan Offerman-Zuckerberg Ph.D. (Founding Board Member Faculty and Supervisor) (Founding Board Member Faculty and Supervisor)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1988 Plenum Publishing Corporation

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Aronowitz, B.R. (1988). Psychodynamics of Abortion Regression or Rebirth?. In: Offerman-Zuckerberg, J. (eds) Critical Psychophysical Passages in the Life of a Woman. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5362-1_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5362-1_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-5364-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-5362-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation