Post-abortion grief very real, experts say

Is abortion psychologically safe for would-be mothers and fathers?

While the American Psychological Association claims the answer is "yes," men and women who have experience with abortion are speaking out about their emotional torment following the procedure.

At Chicago's Reclaiming Fatherhood conference this week, psychologists, counselors, academics, clergy and people who have been impacted by abortion revealed APA claims may not be true after all.

Several fathers who had suffered through pain from having their own children aborted spoke at the event. The convention featured attendees from North America, Europe and Africa. It was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Archdiocese of Chicago Office for Evangelization, and was organized by the Milwaukee-based National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing.

Last month, Dr. Brenda Major, chair of the APA Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion, said studies show terminating a pregnancy does not negatively impact women any more than carrying the baby to term.

"The best scientific evidence published indicates that among adult women who have an unplanned pregnancy, the relative risk of mental health problems is no greater if they have a single elective first-trimester abortion or deliver that pregnancy," she said.

While the APA cited studies suggesting abortion may take an emotional toll on men and women involved, it refuted those claims, saying the task force found "no evidence sufficient to support the claim that an observed association between abortion history and mental health was caused by the abortion per se, as opposed to other factors."

Rather than attributing emotional grief to the abortion itself, the APA suggested psychological trauma may coincide with poverty, exposure to violence, history of emotional problems, drug and alcohol abuse and previous unwanted births.

The idea that abortion does not negatively impact the health of would-be parents has even been accepted by politicians. Sen. Barack Obama's campaign went so far as to suggest denying women abortions could jeopardize their health. A recent radio ad approved by his campaign cautioned against voting for the Republican ticket because, "[I]f Roe v Wade is overturned, the lives and health of women will be put at risk." 

However, psychologist Dr. Vincent Rue, a psychotherapist for more than 30 years and former faculty member at California State University at Los Angeles and San Diego International University, disputed the claims. In a statement, he said regardless of the APA's stance, abortion has devastated the emotional health of men and women.

"The APA has missed the boat and has misguided the American public," Rue said. "It is out of touch with reality and the pain and suffering of these very real people."

Rue revealed the APA's stance conflicts with a statement from the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Britain cautioning the psychological impact of abortion "remains to be fully resolved." Experts said further research is needed, and women should be counseled on consequences of having abortions.

The Royal College wrote, "[G]ood practice in relation to abortion will include informed consent. Consent cannot be informed without the provision of adequate and appropriate information regarding the possible risks and benefits to physical and mental health."

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Rue also emphasized a need to counsel men.

"Perhaps it's time to include discussion of the psychological risks for their partners and their relationships as well since the majority ail after abortion," he said.

The Reclaiming Fatherhood website lists numerous adverse psychological effects abortions can have on men, including: Rage or anger, impotence, feelings of helplessness, grave concern for a partner, inability to communicate, alcohol or drug abuse, risk-taking behaviors, suicide or suicidal ideation, grieving, obsessive thoughts about the lost child, nightmares, desire for another child, inability to sort out feelings, emotional or physical spousal abuse, difficulty with commitment and anxiety.

In a two-year study cited on the Reclaiming Fatherhood website, 142 men responded to an online survey about their personal abortion experiences. Forty-five percent said their partner chose to abort against their wishes. Sixty-six percent indicated their relationships failed after the abortion. When asked about incidents of post-abortion problems, 128 male respondents reported grief, sadness and persistent thoughts about the baby. More than 100 cited feelings of helplessness, relationship problems, anger, guilt, isolation, difficulty concentrating and anxiety.

Rue referenced additional research in the Lancet, a British medical journal, warning experts not to ignore potential risks to women from taking the life of an unborn child.

"Although this report shows that there is no causal link between abortion and mental ill-health, the fact that some women do experience psychological problems after a termination should not be trivialized," it said. "Women choosing to terminate must be offered an appropriate package of follow-up care, which includes psychological counseling when needed."

Psychologist Dr. Catherine Coyle, also present at the conference, said the emotional toll from an abortion on both men and women should not be underestimated.

"Those who grieve after an abortion need to realize that they are not alone," she said in a statement. "It is the compassionate thing for us to do to recognize that some people have profound grief and suffering after an abortion. And if we are to be a compassionate society, we must validate their pain and provide the help they need regardless of where we may stand individually on the issue of abortion."

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