Abortion
- LAST REVIEWED: 01 April 2021
- LAST MODIFIED: 30 September 2013
- DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780195389678-0212
- LAST REVIEWED: 01 April 2021
- LAST MODIFIED: 30 September 2013
- DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780195389678-0212
Introduction
Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy, which includes deliberate termination and spontaneous termination, also referred to as “miscarriage.” The term “abortion” is typically associated with the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, usually occurring before twenty-eight weeks of gestation. The two types of deliberate abortions are surgical and medical. Surgical abortion involves using medical instruments to empty the uterus of the products of conception. In a medical abortion, medication is used to force the ending of the pregnancy. Abortions are categorized as either therapeutic or elective. Therapeutic abortion occurs when the termination is necessary for health reasons; elective abortion occurs when a pregnancy is ended by choice. The estimated rate of abortion worldwide in 2008 was twenty-eight per one thousand women, and nearly half of abortions performed are considered unsafe, with 98 percent of those unsafe procedures taking place in developing nations. Legal surgical abortion is one of the safest and most widely performed medical procedures available, yet it is heavily regulated worldwide because of tremendous religious, political, and personal disagreement regarding its ethical and moral acceptability. Thirty-two countries restrict abortion under any circumstances, thirty-six countries permit abortion only in extenuating circumstances (i.e., rape, incest), fifty-nine additional countries allow abortion in cases in which the woman’s health or mental health is at risk, and seventy countries allow some type of elective abortion. All nations allowing elective abortion impose gestational time limits on the procedure. The International Federation of Social Work, the National Association of Social Workers of the United States, and others support elective abortion as a necessary part of overall access to safe and affordable reproductive health care and family planning services. The commitment of social work to abortion access can be attributed to the profession’s stated ethical commitment to a client’s right to self-determination. Other groups, such as the International Right to Life Federation and the Catholic Church, oppose access to abortion based on their interpretation of religious beliefs and values.
General Overviews
The citations in this section provide overviews of the global status of abortion. The Guttmacher Institute 2012 offers a review of abortion worldwide including a discussion of abortion policy. Grimes and Creinin 2004 provides a medically based review of induced abortion that offers readability even for those outside the medical field. The issue brief prepared in Kessler, et al. 2005 delves into the overall demographics of abortion and directly addresses many of the sociopolitical controversies that surround abortion. Singh, et al. 2009 produced a comprehensive review of the progress and setbacks regarding abortion in recent history, which was an update to a previous report from the Guttmacher Institute. Sedgh, et al. 2012 provides an outline of worldwide incidence and trend information from 1995 to 2008. Denisov, et al. 2012 discusses abortion trends specific to Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, whereas Norman 2012 examines abortion trends in Canada, and the overview from Pazol, et al. 2012 focuses on medical abortion in the United States.
Denisov, Boris P., Victoria I. Sakevich, and Aiva Jasilioniene. 2012. Divergent trends in abortion and birth control practices in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. PLoS One 7.11: e49986.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049986Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors of this article discuss discrepancies related to contraceptive use and abortion rates among these three countries, indicating that differences are difficult to explain. This article is useful for understanding abortion trends in these cultures.
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Grimes, David A., and Mitchell D. Creinin. 2004. Induced abortion: An overview for internists. Annals of Internal Medicine 140.8: 620–626.
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-140-8-200404200-00009Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This is an essential review for professionals and students who wish to learn more about the basic medical facts of abortion, including who seeks abortion and how abortions are induced.
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Guttmacher Institute. 2012. In Brief: Fact Sheet.
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This fact sheet was used to determine the current global status of abortion and abortion access.
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Kessler, Jim, Jessica Dillon, Jon Kott, and James Solomon. 2005. The demographics of abortion: The great divide between abortion rhetoric and abortion reality. Washington, DC: Third Way.
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This issue brief presents a picture of abortion in the United States in terms of facts, policy, and sociopolitical rhetoric. Myths are debunked and challenged, as well. This brief is useful for professionals and students who are interested in law and policy knowledge and advocacy.
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Norman, Wendy V. 2012. Induced abortion in Canada 1974–2005: Trends over the first generation with legal access. Contraception 85.2: 185–191.
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2011.06.009Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
These authors indicate that induced abortion is experienced by approximately one-third of Canadian women and that there is an unmet need for contraception present in this country. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Pazol, Karen, Andreea A. Creanga, and Suzanne B. Zane. 2012. Trends in use of medical abortion in the United States: Reanalysis of surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001–2008. Contraception 86.6: 746–751.
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2012.05.023Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This is an important data source that provides accurate information on medical abortion use in the United States. Useful for understanding the rise in prevalence in medical abortions and resulting implications. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Sedgh, Gilda, Susheela Singh, Iqbal H. Shah, Elisabeth Åhman, Stanley K. Henshaw, and Akinrinola Bankole. 2012. Induced abortion: Incidence and trends worldwide from 1995 to 2008. The Lancet 379.9816: 625–632.
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61786-8Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This comprehensive review highlights the decline in abortion rates and discusses potential causes. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Singh, Susheela, Deirdre Wulf, Rubina Hussain, Akinrinola Bankole, and Gilda Sedgh. 2009. Abortion worldwide: A decade of uneven progress. New York: Guttmacher Institute.
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This work is a comprehensive report of the global status of abortion and highlights the global state of abortion in terms of laws, access, and advocacy progress.
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Health Issues
Access to abortion is an important component of women’s reproductive health worldwide. Repressive abortion policy creates an international public health crisis that contributes to death and injury from unsafe abortion and results in forced pregnancy. Full and complete access to safe and legal abortion is necessary for women to achieve control over their own reproductive health. Specific topics related to the area of abortion and health are discussed further in this article.
Public Health Effects
This section provides information on the relationship between access to legal abortion and the effects on public health. The Guttmacher Institute 2012 provides a fact sheet that addresses trends and incidences of abortion worldwide. Creinin 2012 discusses how abortion itself does not pose a public health risk, yet it is restricted in a way that suggests otherwise. Henshaw 2009 details the public health effects of abortion and unintended pregnancy in the United States. Jones and Weitz 2009 discusses laws that affect second-trimester abortions and the public health impacts of such. Malarcher, et al. 2010 examines equity in pregnancy resolution in a chapter from a report for the World Health Organization. In an early but influential work Meier and McFarlane 1994, the authors examine the possibility that infant low birthweights and infant mortality could be influenced by greater investment in abortion and family planning for Medicaid recipients. Herrera and Zivy 2002 examines the health effects on women seeking abortions in clandestine environments.
Creinin, Mitchell D. 2012. Abortion, pregnancy, and public health. Obstetrics and Gynecology 119.2: 212–214.
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31824472edSave Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The author presents an argument that abortion does not present a risk to public health, yet it is restricted in the same manner as other issues which do affect public health. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Guttmacher Institute. 2012. Facts on induced abortion worldwide. New York: Guttmacher Institute.
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This resource provides facts about various areas of induced abortion in areas such as the changes in the abortion rate, estimates of unsafe abortion, factors that influence the likelihood of having an abortion, rates of abortion broken down by developing and developed nations, and abortion law.
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Henshaw, Stanley K. 2009. Unintended pregnancy and abortion in the USA: Epidemiology and public health impact. In Management of unintended and abnormal pregnancy: Comprehensive abortion care. Edited by Maureen Paul, Steve Lichtenberg, Lynn Borgatta, David A. Grimes, Phillip G. Stubblefield, and Mitchell D. Creinin, 24–35. Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
DOI: 10.1002/9781444313031Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This chapter examines unintended pregnancy and abortion from an epidemiological perspective. Topics such as repeat abortions, abortion epidemiology, and reasons for pregnancy termination are explored.
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Herrera, Ana Amuchastegui, and Marta Rivas Zivy. 2002. Clandestine abortion in Mexico: A question of mental as well as physical health. Reproductive Health Issues 10.19: 95–102.
DOI: 10.1016/S0968-8080(02)00019-8Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This study provides a unique perspective examining the additional burden associated with abortion seeking in an underground environment. This resource is useful for social workers who wish to develop advocacy and practice strategies for women and families in developing nations where abortion restrictions are severe.
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Jones, Bonnie Scott, and Tracy A. Weitz. 2009. Legal barriers to second-trimester abortion provision and public health consequences. American Journal of Public Health 99.4: 623–630.
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.127530Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors discuss how restrictive laws have reduced legal access to second-trimester abortion care, thus increasing risk and cost and affecting the clinical practice of physicians to provide care that is in line with public health guidelines.
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Malarcher, Shawn, L. G. Olson, and Norman Hearst. 2010. Unintended pregnancy and pregnancy outcome: Equity and social determinants. In Equity, social determinants and public health programmes. Edited by Erik Blas and Anand Sivasankara Kurup, 177–199. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
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This chapter outlines the public health risks associated with pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes.
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Meier, Kenneth J., and Deborah R. McFarlane. 1994. State family planning and abortion expenditures: Their effect on public health. American Journal of Public Health 84.9: 1468–1472.
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.84.9.1468Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This earlier work provides information on how funding for family planning and abortions for Medicaid users has the potential to affect rates of low-birthweight babies and infant mortality.
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Unsafe Abortion
The citations in this section provide information about unsafe abortion, which contributes to death and injury to women worldwide. Åhman, et al. 2007 is the 5th edition of a global review of unsafe abortions from a public health perspective, which provides readers with a comprehensive scope of the problem. Haddad and Nour 2009 discusses unsafe abortion in terms of maternal mortality. Singh 2010 provides a comprehensive review of the overall consequences experienced by women and families when access to abortion is unreasonably restricted or unsafe. Barriers to safe abortion are categorized in Jackson, et al. 2011. Rasch 2011 offers an overview of unsafe abortion and the resulting needs for postabortion care, with particular attention to developing nations. Vasquez, et al. 2012 describes a study about unsafe abortion from the perspective of health care providers. Mirembe, et al. 2010 provides an article analyzing and categorizing the global goals for preventing unsafe abortion, whereas Shaw 2010 discusses a strategy for globally addressing unsafe abortion in terms of the goals set by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) in this area. This discussion can be combined with the work of Mirembe, et al. 2010 that outlines the efforts needed to combat the effects of restricted and unsafe abortion worldwide.
Åhman, Elisabeth, Iqbal Shah, and Patricia Butler, eds. 2007. Unsafe abortion: Global and regional estimates of the incidence of unsafe abortion and associated mortality in 2003. 5th ed. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
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This comprehensive review of unsafe abortion from a public health perspective allows the reader to understand the worldwide scope of unsafe abortion.
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Haddad, Lisa B., and Nawal M. Nour. 2009. Unsafe abortion: Unnecessary maternal mortality. Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2.2: 122–126.
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This work provides professionals and students with an understanding of how unsafe and unreasonable restrictions on abortion greatly affect maternal mortality rates worldwide.
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Jackson, Emily, Brooke Ronald Johnson, Hailemichael Gebreselassie, Godfrey D. Kangaude, and Chisale Mhango. 2011. A strategic assessment of unsafe abortion in Malawi. Reproductive Health Matters 19.37: 133–143.
DOI: 10.1016/S0968-8080(11)37563-5Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This review of laws and policies in a culture in which abortion is particularly restrictive outlines barriers to safe abortion and concludes with recommendations for reform. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Mirembe, Florence, Joseph Karanja, Ezzeldin O. Hassan, and Aanibal Faúndes. 2010. Goals and activities proposed by countries in seven regions of the world toward prevention of unsafe abortion. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics 110, suppl.: S25–S29.
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This article is essential for social work professionals who wish to gain knowledge of strategies needed to address unsafe abortion. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Rasch, Vibeke. 2011. Unsafe abortion and postabortion care: An overview. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 90.7: 692–700.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0412.2011.01165.xSave Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This global overview emphasizes the accompanying postabortion care needs that follow unsafe abortions, particularly in developing nations. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Shaw, Dorothy. 2010. The FIGO initiative for the prevention of unsafe abortion. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics 110, suppl.: S17–S19.
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This is an essential discussion of efforts that need to be undertaken to address unsafe abortion worldwide. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Singh, Susheela. 2010. Global consequences of unsafe abortion. Women’s Health 6.6: 849–860.
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This work is essential for professionals and students who wish to gain a greater understanding of the global effects of unsafe abortion, in terms of the social and economic problems caused by limiting access to safe and legal abortion. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Vasquez, Daniela N., Andrea V. Das Neves, José L. Golubicki, et al. 2012. Critical care providers’ opinion on unsafe abortion in Argentina. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics 116.3: 249–252.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2011.10.030Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors discuss a study in which critical care providers were surveyed, indicating their support for the legalization of abortion. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Partner Violence
This section provides information about the relationship between abortion and partner violence. In a comprehensive discussion of the problem, Saftlas, et al. 2010 outlines the prevalence of partner violence in a sample of patients seeking abortion. Silverman, et al. 2010 discusses the involvement of violent partners in the abortion decision, whereas Williams and Brackley 2009 discusses how partner violence plays a role in women’s abortion decisions. Roth, et al. 2011 discusses the relationship between partner violence and the likelihood of seeking an abortion and of having a previous history of abortion. Coleman, et al. 2009 suggests that recent abortion was associated with physical partner violence, whereas Ely and Otis 2011 suggests that emotional partner violence is associated with seeking multiple abortions. Alio, et al. 2011 examines the relationship between partner violence and abortion specific to Cameroon, whereas Silverman, et al. 2007 examines partner violence, abortion, and other issues specific to women in Bangladesh.
Alio, Amina P., Hamisu M. Salihu, Philip N. Nana, Heather B. Clayton, Alfred K. Mbah, and Phillip J. Marty. 2011. Association between intimate partner violence and induced abortion in Cameroon. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics 112.2: 83–87.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.08.024Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
These authors examine the relationship between abortion and different types of intimate partner violence, indicating that sexual and physical partner violence is associated with increased abortion seeking. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Coleman, Priscilla K., Charles David Maxey, Maria Spence, and Charisse L. Nixon. 2009. Predictors and correlates of abortion in the Fragile Families and Well-Being Study: Paternal behavior, substance use and partner violence. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 7.3: 405–422.
DOI: 10.1007/s11469-008-9188-7Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This work suggests that a recent abortion was associated with physical partner violence and substance use. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Ely, Gretchen E., and Melanie D. Otis. 2011. An examination of intimate partner violence and psychological stressors in adult abortion patients. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 26.16: 3248–3266.
DOI: 10.1177/0886260510393004Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This study examines the relationship between partner violence and abortion in patients seeking abortions suggesting that emotional abuse is associated with repeat abortions. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Roth, Lauren, Jeanelle Sheeder, and Stephanie B. Teal. 2011. Predictors of intimate partner violence in women seeking medication abortion. Contraception 84.1: 76–80.
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2010.11.005Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This study specifically examines medical abortion and suggests that partner violence is associated with a history of abortion and pregnancy loss. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Saftlas, Audrey F., Anne B. Wallis, Tara Shochet, Karisa K. Harland, Penny Dickey, and Corinne Peek-Asa. 2010. Prevalence of intimate partner violence among an abortion clinic population. American Journal of Public Health 100.8: 1412–1415.
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.178947Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
Detail is provided concerning partner violence in this population indicating that these patients reported elevated rates of partner violence. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Silverman, Jay G., Michele R. Decker, Heather L. McCauley, et al. 2010. Male perpetration of intimate partner violence and involvement in abortions and abortion-related conflict. American Journal of Public Health 100.8: 1415–1417.
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.173393Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors discuss the results of this study suggesting that intimate partner violence is associated with abortion and conflict over the abortion decision. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Silverman, J. G., J. Gupta, M. Decker, N. Kapur, and A. Raj. 2007. Intimate partner violence and unwanted pregnancy, miscarriage, induced abortion, and stillbirth among a national sample of Bangladeshi women. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 114.10: 1246–1252.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01481.xSave Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors outline a study suggesting that intimate partner violence is prevalent in Bangladesh and contributes to pregnancy loss through abortion. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Williams, Gail B., and Margaret H. Brackley. 2009. Intimate partner violence, pregnancy and the decision for abortion. Issues in Mental Health Nursing 30.4: 272–278.
DOI: 10.1080/01612840802710902Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This work features a qualitative exploration of how women consider involvement in partner violence when they make a decision to have an abortion. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Mental Health
The citations in this section offer readers a sense of the state of the available literature in terms of mental health and abortion, which begins to point to a low risk of psychological problems associated with abortion. This information, however, continues to be scrutinized, and the resulting controversy is also touched on here. Cohen 2006 produced a report for the Guttmacher Institute that addresses the common mental health myths associated with abortion. Long-term mental health outcomes and abortion were studied in Charles, et al. 2008 and Fergusson, et al. 2008. Research published since 1989 related to mental health and abortion was reviewed in Major, et al. 2008 for an American Psychological Association Task Force report, resulting in a statement indicating that an elective first-trimester abortion is not associated with significant psychological risk. Conversely, Coleman 2011 examines the current research from 1995 to 2009, concluding that abortion may pose a greater risk to psychological health than previously concluded. However, the conclusions posited in Coleman 2011 are challenged in Robinson, et al. 2009 and Littell and Coyne 2012 which dispute these conclusions on the grounds of significant methodological flaws. Cameron 2010 offers a review of psychological factors and abortion that includes a discussion of coping.
Cameron, Sharon. 2010. Induced abortion and psychological sequelae. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology 24.5: 657–665.
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This review focuses on psychological coping and abortion indicating that the risk of psychological complication is similar to risks associated with childbirth. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Charles, Vignetta E., Chelsea B. Polis, Srinivas K. Sridhara, and Robert W. Blum. 2008. Abortion and long-term mental health outcomes: A systematic review of the evidence. Contraception 78.6: 436–450.
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2008.07.005Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This is a comprehensive review of studies related to the relationship between long-term mental health problems and abortion. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Cohen, Susan A. 2006. Abortion and mental health: Myths and realities. Guttmacher Policy Review 9.3: 8–16.
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This work provides an overview of common mental health myths associated with abortion and disputes each myth using scientific evidence.
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Coleman, Patricia K. 2011. Abortion and mental health: Quantitative synthesis and analysis of research published 1995–2009. British Journal of Psychiatry 199.3: 180–186.
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.077230Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This review is the largest quantitative examination of the psychological effects associated with abortion to date, suggesting a negative relationship between abortion and mental health. This work is critiqued by others who suggest methodological flaws.
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Fergusson, David M., L. John Horwood, and Joseph M. Boden. 2008. Abortion and mental health disorders: Evidence from a 30-year longitudinal study. British Journal of Psychiatry 193.6: 444–451.
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.108.056499Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This work presents a thirty-year longitudinal study examining the long-term psychological effects associated with abortion in areas such as family functioning, educational achievement, and lifestyle factors, among others.
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Littell, Julia H., and James C. Coyne. 2012. Abortion and mental health: Guidelines for proper scientific conduct ignored. British Journal of Psychiatry 200.1: 75–76.
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.200.1.75Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This correspondence addresses the methodological flaws in the Coleman 2011 review.
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Major, Brenda, Mark Applebaum, Linda Beckman, Mary Ann Dutton, Nancy Felipe Russo, and Carolyn West. 2008. Report of the APA Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
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This report reviews the existing literature related to mental health and abortion published since 1989. This work is comprehensive and essential for professional social workers and students who need information concerning mental health and abortion. This is especially useful for practitioners and policy advocates.
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Robinson, Gail Erlick, Nada L. Stotland, Nancy Felipe Russo, Joan A. Lang, and Mallay Occhiogrosso. 2009. Is there an “abortion syndrome”? Critiquing the evidence. Harvard Review of Psychiatry 17.4: 268–290.
DOI: 10.1080/10673220903149119Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This review study examines the evidence to determine the existence of abortion syndrome, concluding that methodological problems render inconclusive the studies suggesting the existence of the syndrome. Results suggest that postabortion problems are most likely attributed to existing preabortion mental health conditions. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Moral and Ethical Issues
This section provides information on works that specifically address the ethical and moral controversy surrounding abortion. Kaczor 2011 brings a comprehensive, thoughtful, and modern approach to presenting the ethical and moral debate surrounding abortion in various topic areas. Veazy and Signer 2011 examines the notion that access to abortion is socially just and that abortion access is an important moral value for positively affecting women’s lives. Jones and Chaloner 2007 offers an examination of the ethics and controversy of abortion from a medically based perspective. Phillips, et al. 2010 reviews abortion coverage and the ethics of health care reform in the United States. Adams 2011 outlines a perspective on the ethics of requiring professionals, including social workers, to participate in referrals or services related to abortion that may be in contrast with their personal conscience. Marquis 2013 argues that abortion is wrong, whereas Borgmann 2009 argues that the concept of human life is misrepresented in the modern abortion debate. Norris, et al. 2011 discusses the stigma surrounding abortion and how it affects those associated.
Adams, Paul. 2011. Coercing conscience: Professional duty or moral integrity. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics 8.1: 49–56.
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Professional obligations to participate in services and access to abortion even in light of personal objection are discussed, suggesting that personal conscience trumps professional obligations in this area, even for professional social workers.
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Borgmann, Caitlin E. 2009. The meaning of life: Belief and reason in the abortion debate. Columbia Journal of Gender and the Law 18.2: 551–608.
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The author argues that the issue of fetal personhood must be addressed in the abortion debate in order to begin to eliminate the misleading question of fetal personhood in favor of a more fruitful public discussion of the morality of abortion.
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Jones, K., and C. Chaloner. 2007. Ethics of abortion: The arguments for and against. Nursing Standard 21.37: 45–48.
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This article reviews the ethics of abortion from the perspective that, even though elective abortion is increasingly becoming an accepted part of modern life, arguments for and against it remain, and such perspectives often elicit passionate responses from supporters on either side.
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Kaczor, Christopher. 2011. The ethics of abortion: Women’s rights, human life, and the question of justice. New York: Routledge.
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This work tackles the ethical and moral controversies surrounding abortion in a thoughtful, modern format.
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Marquis, Don. 2013. An argument that abortion is wrong. In Ethical theory: An anthology. Edited by Russ Shafer-Landau, 400–410. Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
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The author outlines a moral and ethical argument against abortion.
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Norris, Alison, Danielle Besset, Julia R. Steinberg, Megan L. Kavanaugh, Silvia de Zordo, and Davida Becker. 2011. Abortion stigma: A reconceptualization of constituents, causes, and consequences. Women’s Health Issues 21.3, suppl.: S49–S54.
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Discusses stigma in terms of who is affected by it and how the effects are manifested.
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Phillips, Kathryn A., Daniel Grossman, Tracy A. Weitz, and James Trussell. 2010. Bringing evidence to the debate on abortion coverage in health reform legislation: Findings from a national survey in the United States. Contraception 82.2: 129–130.
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2010.02.017Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The costs of abortion care are compared to other costs for the uninsured, indicating that abortion represents 4 percent of health care expenses for young uninsured females and that the overall goals of health care reform cannot be achieved if abortion restrictions remain as part of health care policy. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Veazy, Carlton W., and Marjorie Brahms Signer. 2011. Religious perspectives on the abortion decision: The sacredness of women’s lives, morality and values, and social justice. NYU Review of Law and Social Change 35.1: 281–302.
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The authors discuss the moral benefit of access to abortion from a social justice perspective. The authors indicate that access to abortion is part of a humane policy that includes family medical leave and childcare, as well.
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Religious Perspectives
This section outlines the relationship between, and controversy surrounding, abortion and religion and religious beliefs. Adamczyk 2008 discusses how religiosity affects abortion attitudes, which then influence abortion policy. Adamczyk 2009 also discusses how religious beliefs influence abortion behavior. In terms of how the religiosity of professionals affects abortion services, Ely, et al. 2012 examines the perceived ability of social work students to provide abortion referrals in light of possible conflicting religious beliefs, whereas Silva, et al. 2009 discusses how religiosity affects doctors’ attitudes toward providing abortion. Strayhorn and Strayhorn 2009 discusses the teen birthrate in the United States with specific attention to the relationship between primarily Christian religiosity and abortion. In a review of Jewish law as it pertains to women’s health, Weisberg and Kern 2009 provides a section that discusses the parameters in which abortion is acceptable for Jewish women, Damian 2010 examines abortion in the Eastern religions of Hinduism and Buddhism, and Erfani and McQuillan 2008 examines the relationship between religious beliefs and illegal abortion in Iran, a primarily Muslim nation.
Adamczyk, Amy. 2008. The effects of religious contextual norms, structural constraints, and personal religiosity on abortion decisions. Social Science Research 37.2: 657–672.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2007.09.003Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors discuss how attitudes toward abortion affect regulations surrounding abortion restrictions. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Adamczyk, Amy. 2009. Understanding the effects of personal and school religiosity on the decision to abort a premarital pregnancy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior 50.2: 180–195.
DOI: 10.1177/002214650905000205Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The effects of religiosity on abortion behavior are examined, suggesting that personal religiosity is unrelated to reported abortion behavior. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Damian, Constantin-Iulian. 2010. Abortion from the perspective of eastern religions: Hinduism and Buddhism. Romanian Journal of Bioethics 8.1: 124–136.
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The prohibition of abortion in these religions is discussed, even in light of the high abortion rates in cultures in which these religions are most prominent.
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Ely, Gretchen E., Chris Flaherty, L. Shevawn Akers, and Tara Bonistall Noland. 2012. Social work student attitudes toward the social work perspective on abortion. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics 9.2: 34–45.
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The perceived ability to make abortion referrals is discussed, indicating that many social work students estimate an inability to make abortion referrals in light of their personal religious beliefs.
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Erfani, Amir, and Kevin McQuillan. 2008. Rates of induced abortion in Iran: The roles of contraceptive use and religiosity. Studies in Family Planning 39.2: 111–122.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1728-4465.2008.00158.xSave Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The focus of this work is on estimating the overall abortion rate in Iran. The authors also discuss how religiosity potentially affects abortion rates. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Silva, Martha, Deborah L. Billings, Sandra G. Garcia, and Diana Lara. 2009. “Physicians” agreement with and willingness to provide abortion services in the case of pregnancy from rape in Mexico. Contraception 79.1: 56–64.
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2008.07.016Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This study indicates that physicians with higher levels of church attendance were less likely to support legal access to abortion, even in cases of rape. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Strayhorn, Joseph M., and Jillian C. Strayhorn. 2009. Religiosity and teen birth rate in the United States. Reproductive Health 6:14.
DOI: 10.1186/1742-4755-6-14Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This overview of the teen birthrate also includes content about how religious beliefs affect abortion seeking in adolescents.
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Weisberg, Edith, and Ian Kern. 2009. Judaism and women’s health. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care 35.1: 53–55.
DOI: 10.1783/147118909787072423Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors give an overview of Jewish law in relation to women’s health with specific attention to the circumstances in which abortion is acceptable for Jewish women.
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Genetic Testing
This section examines the rise in the availability of prenatal genetic testing and the relationship to abortion. The definitive work in the area is an early article Asch 1999 that thoroughly considers the practice and policy challenges present in prenatal genetic testing when selective abortion is an option. Rebouché and Rothenberg 2012 examines the expanding ability of prenatal genetic testing in light of the expanding legal restrictions on abortion, whereas Wilson, et al. 2011 discusses how views of abortion influence rates of seeking prenatal genetic testing. Kon 2009 argues that prenatal genetic testing is beneficial and should be made available to all families, even in cases in which abortion is not a legal option. Batzli 2010 and Bell and Stoneman 2000 present arguments suggesting that prenatal testing leads to a negative attitude toward life with disability and thus promotes selective abortion in a negative manner. De Jong, et al. 2009 explores how the increasing availability of prenatal genetic testing presents increasing problems with informed consent. Rimon-Zarfaty and Raz 2010 outlines medical and public attitudes toward genetic testing and selective abortion in cases of minor fetal abnormalities.
Asch, Adrienne. 1999. Prenatal diagnosis and selective abortion: A challenge to practice and policy. American Journal of Public Health 89.11: 1649–1657.
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.89.11.1649Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The author explores assumptions about potential quality of life issues associated with fetal impairments and suggests that unregulated use of prenatal testing and selective abortion may result in diminishing, rather than expanding, reproductive choice.
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Batzli, Kiersten. 2010. The expressivity of prenatal testing and selective abortion for disability. Penn Bioethics Journal 6.1: 21–24.
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The author argues that prenatal genetic testing results in selective abortions of fetuses with disabilities, thus sending the message that having a disability offers less quality of life.
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Bell, Martie, and Zolinda Stoneman. 2000. Reactions to prenatal testing: Reflection of religiosity and attitudes toward abortion and people with disabilities. American Journal on Mental Retardation 105.1: 1–13.
DOI: 10.1352/0895-8017(2000)105%3C0001:RTPTRO%3E2.0.CO;2Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors of this work explore whether negative attitudes toward people with disabilities affect decisions for prenatal genetic testing and selective abortion. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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de Jong, Antina, Wybo J. Dondorp, Christine E. M. de Die-Smulders, Suzanne G. M. Frints, and Guido M. W. R. de Wert. 2009. Non-invasive prenatal testing: Ethical issues explored. European Journal of Human Genetics 18:272–277.
DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2009.203Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors discuss the rapidly increasing availability of prenatal genetic testing and the implications on the ability to obtain true informed consent for such procedures in light of the accessibility. One benefit may be that in cases in which selective abortion is sought, the procedure is now an earlier option.
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Kon, Alexander A. 2009. Prenatal testing can be advantageous even when abortion is not an option. American Journal of Bioethics 9.8: 69–70.
DOI: 10.1080/15265160902939990Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This author presents an argument in favor of the benefits of offering genetic prenatal testing for women even in cases in which abortion would not be a legal option. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Rebouché, Rachel, and Karen Rothenberg. 2012. Mixed messages: The intersection of prenatal genetic testing and abortion. Howard Law Journal 55.3: 983–1023.
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The authors present a legal review of the availability of genetic testing in contrast to the declining availability of legal abortion and the resulting conflict.
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Rimon-Zarfaty, Nitzan, and Aviad Raz. 2010. Abortion committees as agents of eugenics: Medical and public views on selective abortion following mild or likely fetal pathology. In Kin, gene, community: Reproductive technologies among Jewish Israelis. Edited by Daphna Birenbaum-Carmeli and Yoram S. Carmeli, 202–225. Fertility, Reproduction and Sexuality 19. New York: Berghahn.
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This chapter discusses selective abortion cases in Israel and the lack of policy surrounding the definition of genetic defects.
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Wilson, Jessica L., Gail M. Ferguson, and Judith M. Thorn. 2011. Genetic testing likelihood: The impact of abortion views and quality of life information on women’s decisions. Journal of Genetic Counseling 20.2: 143–156.
DOI: 10.1007/s10897-010-9335-8Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors discuss the relationship between attitudes toward the acceptability of abortion and rates of seeking prenatal genetic testing. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Sex-Selective Abortions
This section examines the controversial practice of sex-selective abortions. Because a preference for sons exists in certain cultures and a preference for a child of a certain gender exists in other cultures, this has increased the use of sex-selective abortion practices as the ability to determine fetal gender has advanced. Rogers, et al. 2007 argues in their work that sex-selective abortion is morally unjust and should be banned. The practice of sex-selection via abortion is more acceptable in certain cultures, and Abrejo, et al. 2009; Bélanger and Oanh 2009; Chun and Das Gupta 2009; Meena, et al. 2007; and Sharma, et al. 2007 discuss the availability of prenatal sex determination tests and the effects of sex-selective abortion on gender imbalance in Bangladesh, China, India, Nepal, South Korea, and Vietnam. An appropriate complement to these articles is Lamichhane, et al. 2011 that explores sex-selective abortion from the perspective of health care providers. In an attempt to present strategies that may have an impact on the problem, Vogel 2012 discusses possible legal and educational approaches.
Abrejo, Farina Gul, Babar Tasneem Shaikh, and Narjis Rizvi. 2009. “And they kill me only because I’m a girl”: A review of sex-selective abortions in South Asia. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care 14.1: 10–16.
DOI: 10.1080/13625180802518231Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This comprehensive article reviews the preference for sons and the resulting sex-selective abortions in several nations. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Bélanger, Danièle, and Khuat Thi Hai Oanh. 2009. Second trimester abortions and sex-selection of children in Hanoi, Vietnam. Population Studies 63.2: 163–171.
DOI: 10.1080/00324720902859380Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This work details the likelihood of seeking second-trimester abortions due to sex-selection preferences for aborting a female fetus. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Chun, Heeran, and Monica Das Gupta. 2009. Gender discrimination in sex selective abortions and its transition in South Korea. Women’s Studies International Forum 32.2: 89–97.
DOI: 10.1016/j.wsif.2009.03.008Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This article is a discussion of gender relations in South Korea and the practice of sex-selective abortions as a result of the pressure to have sons. The authors discuss hope that cultural pressure for sons is changing over time. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Lamichhane, Prabhat, Tabetha Harken, Mahesh Puri, et al. 2011. Sex-selective abortion in Nepal: A qualitative study of health workers’ perspectives. Women’s Health Issues 21.3, suppl.: S37–S41.
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This article details the ways in which sex-selective abortion impedes legal abortion efforts in Nepal, because women pressured to bear sons may seek illegal abortion services.
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Meena, Somali Kumari, S. K. Bhasin, Neeraj Kumar Gupta, and N. K. Saini. 2007. Sex selective abortions leading to skewed child sex ratio in an urban locality of East Delhi. Contraception 76.2: 166.
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2007.05.035Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This article details a study indicating that the ratio of male births compared to females is significantly skewed in this region and that it is attributed to participation in sex-selective abortion. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Rogers, Wendy, Angela Ballantyne, and Heather Draper. 2007. Is sex-selective abortion morally justified and should it be prohibited? Bioethics 21.9: 520–524.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8519.2007.00599.xSave Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This work presents the argument that sex-selective abortion is morally reprehensible and should be banned. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Sharma, B. R., N. Gupta, and N. Relhan. 2007. Misuse of prenatal diagnostic technology for sex-selected abortions and its consequences in India. Public Health 121.11: 854–860.
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2007.03.004Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This work discusses the pressure in India to produce male children in order to avoid the negative perceived consequences of female births. These negative perceptions persist across economic class and educational levels, thus impeding efforts to ban sex-selective abortions and thus creating a gender imbalance in many regions of India. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Vogel, Lauren. 2012. Sex-selective abortions: No simple solution. Canadian Medical Association Journal 184.3: 286–288.
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.109-4097Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This work outlines the growing trend of sex-selective abortions and indicates that banning the procedure is not necessarily a solution to the problem.
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Legislation
This section features work focused on the varying global legislation regulating abortion. In a comprehensive review on the subject, Boland and Katzive 2008 investigates government websites to determine the status of laws regulating induced abortion from 1997 to 2008. Ashford, et al. 2012 examines varying legislation and the effects of liberalizing abortion laws on women’s health outcomes in six underdeveloped geographic areas. Martin 2009, Morhee and Morhee 2006, Hessini 2007, and Kulczycki 2011 offer comparisons between legal problems experienced in both developing and developed nations having either restrictive and more liberal abortion laws, specifically Spain, Great Britain, and Ghana, along with countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, as well as twenty-one predominantly Muslim nations. Medoff 2010 examines the relationship among poverty, abortion policy, and welfare reform in the United States. Moving from an overview of legislation to an examination of the effects of abortion law from the perspective of those affected, Cockrill and Weitz 2010 conducted a study of women’s attitudes toward abortion legislation.
Ashford, L., G. Sedgh, and S. Singh. 2012. Making abortion services accessible in the wake of legal reforms. Alan Guttmacher Institute Issues Brief 1:1–4.
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This brief details a study of abortion reform legislation in six underdeveloped areas of Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Results indicate that making abortion safe and accessible is a lengthy process even after legal reform is instituted. Evidence supports this effort, suggesting that women’s health outcomes improve following legal reforms.
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Boland, Reed, and Laura Katzive. 2008. Developments in laws on induced abortion: 1998–2007. International Family Planning Perspectives 34.3: 110–120.
DOI: 10.1363/3411008Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This review is an analysis of global government abortion laws covering the period from 1998 to 2008 in order to synthesize the information about the existing legislation. The information is categorized by region and offers discussion of the effects of regressive abortion legislation on women’s health and maternal mortality.
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Cockrill, Kate, and Tracy A. Weitz. 2010. Abortion patients’ perceptions of abortion regulation. Women’s Health Issues 20.1: 12–19.
DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2009.08.005Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This article examines attitudes of women toward abortion regulation, determining that women understand the need for regulation and indicate that such regulation should focus on key areas such as empathy, safety and accessibility, privacy, and equity of care. The participants also state that they oppose such regulations as mandatory waiting periods. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Hessini, Leila. 2007. Abortion and Islam: Policies and practice in the Middle East and North Africa. Reproductive Health Matters 15.29: 75–84.
DOI: 10.1016/S0968-8080(06)29279-6Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This work is an overview of several factors, including legal factors that contribute to abortion access in twenty-one predominantly Muslim countries. Abortion laws are discussed in terms of Muslim beliefs and practices.
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Kulczycki, Andrzej. 2011. Abortion in Latin America: Changes in practice, growing conflict, and recent policy developments. Studies in Family Planning 42.3: 199–220.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1728-4465.2011.00282.xSave Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This review of policy and law focuses on the relationship between abortion laws and unsafe abortion, deaths, and hospitalizations, particularly in vulnerable groups of women. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Martin, Isabel Zurita. 2009. British and Spanish legislation on abortion: A brief comparative overview. Law and Justice 163:127–141.
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This overview of laws provides students and professionals with a picture of how complicated abortion laws are developed in two countries with similar civil rights and governmental approaches.
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Medoff, Marshall H. 2010. Nonmarital births and state abortion policies. Social Work in Public Health 25.5: 454–469.
DOI: 10.1080/19371910903178763Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The author discusses restrictive abortion laws and nonmarital childbearing rates in the United States since the welfare reform of 1996 was enacted. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Morhee, R. A. S., and E. S. K. Morhee. 2006. Overview of the law and availability of abortion services in Ghana. Ghana Medical Journal 40.3: 80–86.
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This work discusses abortion law in Ghana, indicating that the liberalization of the laws have not led to safe and accessible abortion services in this developing nation because of a delay in policy and service development in response to the new laws.
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Parental Consent Laws
This section focuses specifically on parental consent laws and underage women seeking abortion services, which mainly applies to the United States. Dennis, et al. 2009 reviews the literature in the area of parental consent laws to offer a comprehensive resource on the topic. Haas-Wilson 1993 discusses the economic impact of parental consent laws in relation to abortion rates. Coles, et al. 2010 examines how restrictive abortion laws affect teen birthrates. Kavanagh, et al. 2012 discusses parental consent laws from the perspective of adolescents seeking abortion services, whereas Coleman and Joyce 2009 discusses how adolescents who are nearing their eighteenth birthdays may postpone abortion to the second or even third trimester in order to avoid parental consent laws. Manian 2012 discusses the dysfunctional nature of parental consent laws and offers strategies for reform. Sen, et al. 2012 examines the relationship between restrictive abortion laws and child homicide, indicating a 13 percent increase in child homicide rates in states with parental consent laws. The National Abortion Federation of the United States (NAF) has produced a fact sheet on teenage abortion with a section that discusses parental consent laws, indicating that such laws may increase negative family communication and increase health risks for teens.
Coleman, Silvie, and Ted Joyce. 2009. Minors’ behavioral responses to parental consent laws: Delaying abortion until age 18. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 41.2: 119–126.
DOI: 10.1363/4111909Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors discuss how parental consent laws can result in later-term abortions and thus have public health impacts as unintended consequences. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Coles, Mandy S., Kevin K. Makino, Nancy L. Stanwood, Ann Dozier, and Jonathan D. Klein. 2010. How are restrictive abortion statutes associated with unintended teen birth? Journal of Adolescent Health 47.2: 160–167.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.01.003Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors discuss the impact of parental consent restrictions in terms of how the birthrate for adolescents is affected, suggesting that the birthrate has risen for some groups, whereas it has declined in other groups. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Dennis, Amanda, Stanley K. Henshaw, Theodore J. Joyce, Lawrence B. Finer, and Kelly Blanchard. 2009. The impact of laws requiring parental involvement for abortion: A literature review. New York: Guttmacher Institute.
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This is an overview of the general impact of parental consent laws.
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Haas-Wilson, Deborah. 1993. The economic impact of state restrictions on abortion: Parental consent and notification laws and Medicaid funding restrictions. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 12.3: 498–511.
DOI: 10.2307/3325303Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This is an economic assessment related to the impact of consent laws and abortion seeking in adolescents. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Kavanagh, Erin K., Lee A. Hasselbacher, Brittany Betham, Sigrid Tristan, and Melissa L. Gilliam. 2012. Abortion-seeking minors’ views on the Illinois parental notification law: A qualitative study. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 44.3: 159–166.
DOI: 10.1363/4415912Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This study suggests that a majority of minors perceive the law negatively due to fears of adverse parental reactions and forced pregnancy. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Manian, Maya. 2012. Functional parenting and dysfunctional abortion policy: Reforming parental involvement legislation. Family Court Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal 50.2: 241–257.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-1617.2012.01448.xSave Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This article outlines the position that is recognized by family court staff and others that reform is needed in the area of parental consent laws and offers some strategies to begin to move forward in this area. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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National Abortion Federation. 2012. Teenage women, abortion, and the law. Washington, DC: National Abortion Federation.
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This resource is a comprehensive overview of the research documenting the effects of parental consent laws in areas of family communication, health outcomes, obstacles created by judicial bypass, and the overall coerciveness of the laws.
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Sen, Bisakha, Martha Slay Wingate, and Russell Kirby. 2012. The relationship between state abortion-restrictions and homicide deaths among children under 5 years of age: A longitudinal study. Social Science and Medicine 75.1: 156–164.
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.01.037Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors discuss the results from a study indicating that restrictive abortion laws are associated with child homicide rates. In particular, parental consent laws, parental notification laws, and mandatory delay laws were all associated with an increase in homicide rates for children under age five. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Fetal Personhood Laws
This section specifically addresses legal and political efforts directed toward eliminating access to abortion by establishing the fetus as a person with full legal and constitutional rights, which are also known as “fetal personhood laws.” Most information available in this area focuses on the United States. In one of the first research efforts in this area, Schroedel 2000 offers an extensive look at fetal personhood policy across all fifty US states. In a more recent work, Schroedel 2011 discusses religious perspectives on fetal personhood, fetal abuse laws, and the conflict between fetal rights and women’s rights. Norris, et al. 2011 discusses the stigmatization of abortion, indicating that attributing personhood status to the fetus is a contributor to abortion stigma. From a more activist perspective, Collins and Crockin 2012 discusses strategies for opposing the establishment of personhood laws, which include coordinating activism strategies and working to shift public perceptions in this area. From the position of opposing abortion, Warren 2009–2010 argues that the emerging concepts of fetal personhood render the Roe v. Wade decision unconstitutional. In terms of the concept of fetal personhood outside the United States, Sekaleshfar 2009 discusses the two pivotal concepts of Shiah Islam that most affect perspectives on abortion: personhood and ensoulment, whereas Rimon-Zarfaty, et al. 2011 examines the concept of fetal personhood from a Jewish perspective, suggesting that the Israeli fetus gains its personhood gradually.
Collins, Lee Rubin, and Susan L. Crockin. 2012. Fighting “personhood” initiatives in the United States. Reproductive BioMedicine Online 24.7: 689–691.
DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2012.04.002Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors discuss the personhood law that was initiated and defeated in Virginia and offer advocacy strategies to combat such efforts in the future.
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Norris, Alison, Danielle Bessett, Julia R. Steinberg, Megan L. Kavanaugh, Silvia de Zordo, and Davida Becker. 2011. Abortion stigma: A reconceptualization of constituents, causes, and consequences. Women’s Health Issues 21.3, suppl.: S49–S54.
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Abortion stigma is discussed in terms of the lack of research and the contributing factors. Attributing personhood status to the fetus is cited as contributing to abortion stigma. The authors also discuss those who are stigmatized by abortion.
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Rimon-Zarfaty, Nitzan, Aviad E. Raz, and Yael Hashiloni-Dolev. 2011. When does the fetus become a person? An Israeli viewpoint. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care 37:216–224.
DOI: 10.1136/jfprhc-2011-0110Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The Jewish concept of fetal personhood is discussed in terms of how it is gained gradually, which is in contrast to other perspectives in which a fetus is either considered a person or it is not. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Schroedel, Jean Reith. 2000. Is the fetus a person? A comparison of policies across the fifty states. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Univ. Press.
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Although dated, this book offers a comprehensive examination of personhood policy across the United States, which is useful especially when comparing those policies to any changes that may have occurred since.
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Schroedel, Jean. 2011. Law, religion and fetal personhood. Washington, DC: Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
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The author discusses how perspectives on fetal personhood differ among various religious groups. Other topics include fetal abuse laws, criminal prosecution of crimes against fetuses, and the conflict between fetal rights and women’s rights.
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Sekaleshfar, Farrokh B. 2009. Abortion perspectives of Shiah Islam. Studies in Ethics, Law and Technology 2.3.
DOI: 10.2202/1941–6008.1066Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The doctrinal and ethical beliefs of Islam are discussed in terms of how abortion is perceived. The main components of Islam that may affect views on abortion are concepts of personhood and ensoulment, and these drive the abortion laws in primarily Muslim nations. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Warren, Rebecca. 2009. Pro [whose] choice? How the growing recognition of a fetus’ right to life takes the constitutionality out of Roe. Chapman Law Review 13.221: 221–248
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The argument is made that when a fetus’s human personhood is established, the constitutionality of abortion under Roe v. Wade is diminished. Scientific advancement in support of fetal personhood and therefore against the right to abortion is also discussed. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Health Legislation
This section discusses health and health reform legislation and the relationship to abortion and abortion policy. Sifris 2010 provides an overview of how restrictive abortion legislation impedes the right to health worldwide. Whelan 2010 discusses how abortion rates might be affected when policies of universal health care are adopted, suggesting that universal health care is associated with a decrease in abortion rates. Bendavid, et al. 2011 examines how the funding restrictions that are imposed on nongovernmental organizations by the United States affects abortion safety and access in sub-Saharan Africa. Cohen 2010 examines insurance coverage of abortion in the United States, and Dennis, et al. 2011 discusses strategies to gain funding for abortion through Medicaid even in light of the Hyde Amendment, which is the policy in the US that prohibits public funding of abortion. Benson, et al. 2011 provides information about how health reform efforts affect unsafe abortion rates and maternal mortality in Romania, South Africa, and Bangladesh, whereas Beck, et al. 2012 examines health reform efforts and the effects on abortion in Mongolia. Wheeler, et al. 2012 discusses medical students and their knowledge of pregnancy termination laws in South Africa.
Beck, Christina, Nicole S. Berry, and Semjidmaa Choijil. 2012. Health system reform and safe abortion: A case study of Mongolia. Global Public Health 8.2: 174–186.
DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2012.762687Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors examine market reforms along with health reforms and the impact on abortion laws, indicating that despite the health reforms over the last several decades, abortion access in Mongolia remains inadequate. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Bendavid, Eran, Patrick Avila, and Grant Miller. 2011. United States aid policy and induced abortion in sub-Saharan Africa. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 89.12: 873–880C.
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.11.091660Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors examine the Mexico City Policy, which is the policy of the United States that prohibits any nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) who are working outside the United States, yet receiving US funding, from discussing the option of abortion in family planning settings. The authors determine that the policy likely negatively influences contraception rates and thus increases unsafe abortion worldwide.
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Benson, Janie, Kathryn Andersen, and Ghazaleh Samandari. 2011. Reductions in abortion-related mortality following policy reform: Evidence from Romania, South Africa and Bangladesh. Reproductive Health 8:39.
DOI: 10.1186/1742-4755-8-39Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors discuss health reform efforts in these countries and how reproductive health services, including abortion, were affected. They conclude that the health reform efforts positively affected abortion services in these countries and suggest that multifaceted policy efforts are necessary to provide adequate abortion policy reform.
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Cohen, Susan A. 2010. Insurance coverage of abortion: The battle to date and the battle to come. Guttmacher Policy Review 13.4: 1–6.
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This policy review provides information on the history of the lack of insurance coverage for abortion in the United States. This discussion includes a discussion of the Hyde Amendment, the ban on abortion coverage under Medicaid, the ban on abortion coverage for public employees in some states, and the ban on abortion coverage in private insurance plans in some states.
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Dennis, Amanda, Kelly Blanchard, and Denisse Córdova. 2011. Strategies for securing funding for abortion under the Hyde Amendment: A multistate study of abortion providers’ experiences managing Medicaid. American Journal of Public Health 101.11: 2124–2129.
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2011.300212Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors discuss barriers to obtaining Medicaid funding for abortions even when it should be legal, as in cases of rape, incest, and life endangerment. In-depth interviews with providers reveal strategies for increasing funding through the Medicaid program. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Sifris, Ronli. 2010. Restrictive regulation of abortion and the right to health. Medical Law Review 18.2: 185–212.
DOI: 10.1093/medlaw/fwq014Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The author outlines how restrictive abortion legislation impedes the international right to health by citing policy from various nations in areas such as the relationship between restrictive abortion law and the associated increase in unsafe abortion. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Wheeler, Stephanie B., Leah Zullig, Robert Jungerwirth, Bryce B. Reeve, Geoffrey A. Buga, and Chelsea Morroni. 2012. Knowledge of termination of pregnancy (TOP) legislation and attitudes toward TOP clinical training among medical students attending two South African universities. World Health and Population 14.1: 5–18.
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The need for the provision of safe termination of pregnancy is discussed in terms of whether medical students know the health laws and regulations in this area. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Whelan, Patrick. 2010. Abortion rates and universal health care. New England Journal of Medicine 362.13: e45.
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The author discusses health care reform in areas such as how the decrease in abortion is associated with universal health care, how the Hyde Amendment is maintained and restricts federal funding of abortion including funding for Medicaid patients, and how such laws are designed specifically to create disincentive for abortion in the United States.
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Abortion Activism
This section specifically addresses how policy and law is affected by the efforts of activism and activists. In a definitive work in this area, Klugman 2008 discusses the Johannesburg Initiative, a research effort that examined abortion activism around the world. Fried 2013 examines abortion activism in the United States during the time since its relegalization via Roe v. Wade in 1973. Gee 2011 discusses how the antiabortion movement’s activism has resulted in an unprecedented increase in legal restrictions on abortion in the United States, whereas Rose 2011 examines how the antiabortion movement is adding pro-woman rhetoric to its message in order to increase support for its cause. Young 2009 examines the abortion activism efforts of George Tiller, a US abortion physician and activist who was murdered while at church by an antiabortion extremist. Aksel, et al. 2013 examines how antiabortion activism has intimidated medical students in the United States, resulting in a shortage of medical providers with the skills and willingness to perform the procedure. Kulczycki 2011 discusses the increase in abortion activism in Latin America even in light of religious objection to abortion. European abortion policy is examined in Finney 2010 which discusses the similarities between Roe v. Wade in the United States and A., B. and C. v. Ireland in terms of the implications of the Ireland case for the rest of the Council of Europe members.
Aksel, Sarp, Lydia Fein, Em Ketterer, Emily Young, and Lois Backus. 2013. Unintended consequences: Abortion training in the years after Roe v. Wade. American Journal of Public Health 103.3: 404–407.
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.301152Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The article outlines how antiabortion activism has impeded the training of abortion providers in the United States. The authors discuss how Medical Students for Choice was formed to undertake efforts to counteract these problems. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Finney, Emma. 2010. Shifting towards a European Roe v. Wade: Should judicial activism create an international right to abortion with A., B. and C. v. Ireland?. Univ. of Pittsburgh Law Review 72.2: 389–430.
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The authors discuss the A., B. and C. v. Ireland court case and compare it to Roe v. Wade in the United States, indicating that the Ireland case has the potential to have an impact on abortion throughout Europe by setting a precedent for legalized abortion much as Roe v. Wade has in the United States.
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Fried, Marlene Gerber. 2013. Reproductive rights activism in the post-Roe era. American Journal of Public Health 103.1: 10–14.
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.301125Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The author discusses abortion activism in the United States in the decades since its relegalization in 1973. Topics include a discussion of how race, age, and economic status make certain women more vulnerable in terms of abortion access. The growth in activism efforts is also discussed. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Gee, Alastair. 2011. Anti-abortion laws gain more ground in the USA. The Lancet 377.9782: 1992–1993.
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60848-9Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The author discusses the recent success of antichoice politicians in introducing and passing antiabortion policies and laws.
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Klugman, Barbara. 2008. Advocating for abortion access: Lessons and challenges. IDS Bulletin 39.3: 10–17.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1759-5436.2008.tb00457.xSave Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The author explains her research known as the Johannesburg Initiative, a research project that examined abortion advocacy worldwide. Topics include policy analysis, strategic planning, and strategizing for change. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Kulczycki, Andrzej. 2011. Abortion in Latin America: Changes in practice, growing conflict and recent policy developments. Studies in Family Planning 42.3: 199–220.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1728-4465.2011.00282.xSave Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The author discusses the fact that abortion in Latin America is becoming safer and that this can be attributed to growing advocacy efforts and conflict over abortion in this area. The author examines the issues in the issues in the context of the legalization of abortion in Mexico City and compares activism efforts by country. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Rose, Melody. 2011. Pro-life, pro-woman? Frame extension in the American antiabortion movement. Journal of Women, Politics and Policy 32.1: 1–27.
DOI: 10.1080/1554477X.2011.537565Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This author discusses how the antiabortion movement is utilizing more pro-woman rhetoric in an attempt to gain additional supporters. If this goal can be accomplished, it could have implications for additional abortion restrictions in the United States. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Young, Angie. 2009. Abortion, ideology, and the murder of George Tiller. Feminist Studies 35.2: 416–420.
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The author discusses the activism and medical contributions of Dr. George Tiller and the appreciation he drew from patients and proabortion activists. The article also touches on the ideology that contributed to his assassination by antiabortion extremists. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Motherhood and Abortion
This section provides information about the relationship between motherhood and abortion. The definitive resource in this area is Lee 2003, which outlines a thorough discussion about the interplay between abortion and mental health for mothers. Jones, et al. 2007 discusses how concepts of motherhood play into the decision to have an abortion.
Jones, Rachel K., Lori F. Frohwirth, and Ann M. Moore. 2007. I would want to give my child, like, everything in the world: How issues of motherhood influence women who have abortions. Journal of Family Issues 29.1: 79–99.
DOI: 10.1177/0192513X07305753Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This study indicates that motherhood is cited as a reason for choosing abortion in many cases. This is useful for social workers who are developing practice strategies for women and families who are considering or have chosen abortion. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Lee, Ellie. 2003. Abortion, motherhood, and mental health: Medicalizing reproduction in the United States and Great Britain. Hawthorne, NY: de Gruyter.
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This book outlines the intersection of motherhood and abortion in these developed nations and discusses the contributions of the pro and con movements to the reproductive health of women in these areas.
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Adolescents, Young Women, and Abortion
The works in this section outline the issues associated with abortion specifically for adolescents and younger women. In their review, Shah and Åhman 2012 have synthesized information about the burden of unsafe abortion, indicating that young women in developing nations are most acutely affected. Adler, et al. 2003 offers a comprehensive discussion of abortion among adolescents with particular focus on the emotional and physical safety of the procedure and the potential negative impact of parental consent laws. Davis and Beasley 2009 examines the safety of abortion for adolescents, the psychological and health effects associated with abortion, and the barriers and burdens experienced by adolescents trying to access abortion. Coles, et al. 2010 examines restrictive abortion laws in relation to adolescent birth outcomes. Stotland 2011 offers a comprehensive review of the existing literature related to the mental health effects of adolescent abortion. Ely and Dulmus 2010 discusses disparities in access to reproductive health care for adolescent women, offering a section on abortion and a discussion of the problem from a social work perspective. Moreau, et al. 2012 discusses the abortion experiences specific to adolescent women in France, whereas Hung 2010 provides a discussion of the abortion experience of young women specific to Hong Kong.
Adler, Nancy E., Emily J. Ozer, and Jeanne Tschann. 2003. Abortion among adolescents. American Psychologist 58.3: 211–217.
DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.58.3.211Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This is an essential review for any practitioner working with abortion patients or policy advocates needing to understand the effects of abortion restrictions. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Coles, Mandy S., Kevin K. Makino, Nancy L. Stanwood, Ann Dozier, and Jonathan D. Klein. 2010. How are restrictive abortion statutes associated with unintended teen birth? Journal of Adolescent Health 47.2: 160–167.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.01.003Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This work examines abortion legislation and the effects of such on adolescent birthrates, indicating mandatory waiting periods, Medicaid funding restrictions, and parental consent laws are associated with increased unintended adolescent births. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Davis, Anne R., and Anitra D. Beasley. 2009. Abortion in adolescents: Epidemiology, confidentiality, and methods. Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology 21.5: 390–395.
DOI: 10.1097/GCO.0b013e3283307b84Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This medically based review is relevant for professionals and students needing to gather information on the unique barriers experienced by adolescents seeking abortion. This is useful for developing strategies for eliminating such barriers from a practice as well as a policy standpoint. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Ely, Gretchen E., and Catherine N. Dulmus. 2010. Disparities in access to reproductive health options for female adolescents. Social Work in Public Health 25.3–4: 341–351.
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This work offers a discussion of how laws regulating reproductive health are discriminatory toward adolescents in several areas, including access to abortion. A discussion of the needed advocacy efforts from a social work perspective is also presented. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Hung, Suet Lin. 2010. Access to safe and legal abortion for teenage women from deprived backgrounds in Hong Kong. Reproductive Health Matters 18.36: 102–110.
DOI: 10.1016/S0968-8080(10)36527-XSave Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This paper outlines a qualitative study of the abortion experiences of vulnerable adolescents, indicating that many of these young women seek poor-quality abortion services in China as a means to mitigate the cost. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Moreau, Caroline, James Trussell, and Nathalie Bajos. 2012. Contraceptive paths of adolescent women undergoing an abortion in France. Journal of Adolescent Health 50.4: 389–394.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.07.013Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This study examines the abortion experiences of French adolescents, who seek 14 percent of French abortions, indicating that the need for abortion is precipitated by contraceptive failure. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Shah, Iqbal H., and Elisabeth Åhman. 2012. Unsafe abortion differentials in 2008 by age and developing country region: High burden among young women. Reproductive Health Matters 20.39: 169–173.
DOI: 10.1016/S0968-8080(12)39598-0Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This work provides a review of incidence and rates of abortion by age and geographic location, indicating young women bear the brunt of restrictive abortion policy.
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Stotland, Nada L. 2011. Induced abortion and adolescent mental health. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology 23.5: 340–343.
DOI: 10.1097/GCO.0b013e32834a93acSave Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This comprehensive review article examines the psychological effects of abortion on adolescent women, indicating that although there does seem to be a relationship between unwanted pregnancy and mental health problems, these problems are not linked directly to the abortion.
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Vulnerable Women and Abortion
This section explores abortion and vulnerable women, including women of color, immigrant women, women with disability, incarcerated women, women in rural areas, and women of lower socioeconomic status, among others. Ely and Dulmus 2010 discusses, from a social work perspective, how abortion policy in the United States creates a two-tiered system resulting in various groups of vulnerable women having reduced access to abortion. In a discussion of recent changes in US abortion rates, Jones and Kavanaugh 2011 indicates that rates are highest for women of lower socioeconomic status and African American women, among others. Cohen 2008 discusses abortion specifically related to women of color. Topics include rates of abortion for African American women and Latinas, disparities in abortion rates for women of color, and the reasons for these disparities. Price 2010 explores how women of color are attempting to address such disparities by reshaping abortion activism in the United States. McCaman 2013 explores rights to abortion for women with disabilities, whereas Kasdan 2009 discusses abortion rights for incarcerated women. Rasch 2008 examines how immigrant women with lower socioeconomic status have greater rates of induced abortion in Denmark and the implications of such.
Cohen, Susan A. 2008. Abortion and women of color: The bigger picture. Guttmacher Policy Review 11.3.
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Topics include discussion of disparities in abortion rates for various groups of women of color and antiabortion rhetoric that is targeted toward women of color.
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Ely, Gretchen E., and Catherine N. Dulmus. 2010. Abortion policy and vulnerable women in the United States: A call for social work policy practice. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment 20.5: 658–671.
DOI: 10.1080/10911351003749177Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors discuss how vulnerable women, including rural women, women of color, and young women, are negatively affected by restrictive abortion policy and suggest strategies for change. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Jones, Rachel K., and Megan L. Kavanaugh. 2011. Changes in abortion rates between 2000 and 2008 and lifetime incidence of abortion. Obstetrics and Gynecology 117.6: 1358–1366.
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31821c405eSave Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The abortion rate in terms of the most significant recent changes is discussed, indicating that vulnerable women—that is, those who are poor, women of color, and younger women—have the highest abortion rates. The authors also suggest that if rates are maintained, 30 percent of US women will have had at least one abortion by age forty-five.
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Kasdan, Diana. 2009. Abortion access for incarcerated women: Are correctional health practices in conflict with constitutional standards? Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 41.1: 59–62.
DOI: 10.1363/4105909Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The author discusses the abortion rights of women in prison in the United States in terms of whether or not policy is complying with constitutional expectations regarding health and choice. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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McCaman, Elizabeth Ann. 2013. Limitations on choice: Abortion for women with diminished capacity. Hastings Women’s Law Journal 24:155–176.
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The author explores abortion rights for women with a disability, in particular, women with a mental disability and lessened decision-making capacity. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Price, Kimala. 2010. What is reproductive justice? How women of color activists are redefining the pro-choice paradigm. Meridians: Feminism, Race, Transnationalism 10.2: 42–65.
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Activism by women of color is changing the landscape in terms of abortion activism in the United States. The authors discuss the human rights framework being employed by a coalition of women of color in their abortion activism and how this effort is influencing the reproductive justice movement. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Rasch, Vibeke, Tine Gammeltoft, Lisbeth B. Knudsen, Charlotte Tobiassen, Annelie Ginzel, and Lillian Kempf. 2008. Induced abortion in Denmark: Effect of socio-economic situation and country of birth. European Journal of Public Health 18.2: 144–149.
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckm112Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
Discusses the vulnerable status of immigrant women in terms of health care access, indicating that their higher levels of induced abortion can be attributed to decreased health care access. Implications are also discussed. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Social Work
This section provides information on the relationship between the profession of social work and issues related to abortion. Early on, Chilman 1988 outlined the history of the abortion controversy from a social work perspective. Bernadi, et al. 2012 offers an overview of public opinion trends broken down into three areas, which are presented in relation to social work advocacy strategies. Ely, et al. 2012 presents a study outlining social work students’ attitudes toward abortion and students’ perceptions of their abilities to make abortion referrals. In her dissertation, Ball 2010 examines attitudes toward abortion in social work and associated health and mental health disciplines. Ely and Dulmus 2010 discuss how abortion policy in the United States has the most negative impact on vulnerable women and calls on the social work profession to respond to this crisis. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW 2012) provides information on the social work perspective on abortion in the chapter on family planning and reproductive choice, indicating support for a full range of family planning services that includes safe and legal access to abortion. The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) policy statement on women indicates that access to the full range of reproductive health services (which would include abortion) is essential, although international support for such is not always a priority. Taken along with the NASW policy statements, the IFSW policy statement on women presents a picture of concern by those in the field of social work for abortion rights in view of the professional commitment to both social justice and the right to self-determination.
Ball, Mary J. 2010. The abortion attitudes of counselor, social work, and nursing trainees. PhD diss., Western Michigan Univ.
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This work details the attitudes of health professionals toward various aspects of abortion. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Bernadi, Brooke, Deana Boughter, Samantha Brown, et al. 2012. Abortion, partial-birth abortion, and adolescent access to abortion: An overview for social workers. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment 22.8: 947–959.
DOI: 10.1080/10911359.2012.664504Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This review presents a summary of public opinion in three abortion-related areas, indicating that recent efforts to limit abortion in the United States do not coincide with the majority public opinion. Opportunities for social work advocacy are outlined. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Chilman, Catherine S. 1988. The background of the present abortion controversy. Affilia 3.2: 41–54.
DOI: 10.1177/088610998800300205Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This dated but useful early work lays out the abortion controversy from a historical social work perspective. Important for social workers wishing to understand the historical development of the moral and ethical concerns in this area. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Ely, Gretchen E., and Catherine N. Dulmus. 2010. Abortion policy and vulnerable women in the United States: A call for social work policy practice. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment 20.5: 658–671.
DOI: 10.1080/10911351003749177Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors outline abortion policy in the United States and discuss how it creates a two-tiered system of access to abortion services, with middle-class and higher-income women benefiting while vulnerable groups of women often experience forced pregnancy. The need for social work policy practice in this area is emphasized. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Ely, Gretchen E., Chris Flaherty, L. Shevawn Akers, and Tara Bonistall Noland. 2012. Social work student attitudes toward the social work perspective on abortion. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics 9.2: 34–45.
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This article outlines a study of student attitudes toward abortion in various areas, including perceptions of ability to make referrals for abortion when it is requested.
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International Federation of Social Workers. 2012. Women.
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This policy statement provides information about the issues affecting women from an international social work perspective. This resource is essential for professionals who wish to gain comprehensive knowledge to assist with practice strategies and policy advocacy in this area.
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NASW. 2012. Family planning and reproductive choice. In Social work speaks: National Association of Social Workers policy statements, 2012–2014. 9th ed. By NASW, 127–133. Washington, DC: National Association of Social Workers.
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This chapter outlines the NASW perspective on family planning, which includes legal access to abortion. The economic benefits for women and children in terms of being able to dictate the number and spacing of births are also discussed.
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Abortion Counseling
This section provides information on counseling related to abortion. Medoff 2009 discusses the biased abortion counseling laws that have arisen in the United States in an attempt to dissuade women from seeking abortions; it also examines whether these efforts have an effect on abortion rates. Moving from laws toward actual counseling approaches, Upadhyay, et al. 2010 discusses a study that applies evidence-based counseling strategies that are already used in other sensitive health care areas to abortion counseling. Ely, et al. 2010 offers one of the first works on patients’ satisfaction with their abortion counseling experience, whereas Moore, et al. 2011 discusses women’s perceptions of their abortion counseling needs in the United States, even in light of the mandatory counseling laws that are in place in many states. Beja and Leal 2010 discusses abortion counseling from the perspective of health care providers in Portugal. Ceylan, et al. 2009 and Ferreira, et al. 2009 offer studies of the usefulness and effectiveness of postabortion contraceptive counseling, whereas Falk, et al. 2009 discusses postabortion contraceptive counseling specifically with adolescents.
Beja, Vanda, and Isabel Leal. 2010. Abortion counselling according to healthcare providers: A qualitative study in the Lisbon metropolitan area, Portugal. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Healthcare 15.5: 326–355.
DOI: 10.3109/13625187.2010.513213Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This work outlines interviews with sixteen health care providers in Portugal related to their perspectives on abortion counseling, concluding that abortion counseling has benefits but certain elements are required for it to be effective. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Ceylan, Ali, Meliksah Ertem, Gunay Saka, and Nurten Akdeniz. 2009. Post abortion family planning counseling as a tool to increase contraception use. BMC Public Health 15.9: 20.
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-9-20Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This work indicates that postabortion contraceptive counseling conducted in Turkey greatly increased contraceptive use.
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Ely, Gretchen E., Catherine N. Dulmus, and L. Shevawn Akers. 2010. An examination of levels of patient satisfaction with their abortion counseling experience: A social work practice evaluation. Best Practices in Mental Health 6.2: 103–114.
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This study examines satisfaction with preabortion counseling from the perspective of patients and offers recommendations for creating positive counseling settings.
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Falk, Gabriella, Jan Brynhildsen, and Ann Britt Ivarsson. 2009. Contraceptive counseling to teenagers at abortion visits: A qualitative content analysis. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care 14.5: 357–364.
DOI: 10.3109/13625180903171815Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This work is an analysis of medical records examined to determine if postabortion contraceptive counseling was used with teens seeking abortion. The results suggest that medical records lacked documentation of family planning counseling, and the authors emphasize the importance of such counseling. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Ferreira, Ana Laura Carneiro Gomes, Andréa Lemos, José Natal Figueiroa, and Ariani Impieri de Souza. 2009. Effectiveness of contraceptive counseling of women following an abortion: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Healthcare 14.1: 1–9.
DOI: 10.1080/13625180802549970Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This review examines existing literature to determine the effectiveness of postabortion family planning counseling, indicating that the evidence does not suggest that the counseling makes a difference in postabortion contraceptive use in developed nations. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Medoff, Marshall H. 2009. Biased abortion counseling laws and abortion demand. Social Science Journal 46.4: 632–643.
DOI: 10.1016/j.soscij.2009.05.001Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
This discussion of the content required in state-mandated counseling includes information about what is required and whether such information affects abortion rates. This work is important for those seeking to develop practice strategies in view of these counseling laws, as well as those seeking to advocate for policy reform. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Moore, Ann M., Lori Frohwirth, and Nakeisha Blades. 2011. What women want from abortion counseling in the United States: A qualitative study of abortion patients in 2008. Social Work in Health Care 50.6: 424–442.
DOI: 10.1080/00981389.2011.575538Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors in this study examine the responses of forty-nine women concerning their expectations for abortion counseling. Results suggest that women should be allowed to specify their own counseling needs, rather than have their needs dictated by policy or protocol. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Upadhyay, Ushma D., Kate Cockrill, and Lori R. Freedman. 2010. Informing abortion counseling: An examination of evidence-based practices used in emotional care for other stigmatized and sensitive health issues. Patient Education and Counseling 81.3: 415–421.
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2010.08.026Save Citation »Export Citation » Share Citation »
The authors of this article discuss sensitive health issues and effective evidence-based counseling practices and their potential for effectiveness in the area of abortion counseling. Available online for purchase or by subscription.
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Article
- Abortion
- Adolescent Depression
- Adolescent Pregnancy
- Adolescents
- Adoption
- Adoption Home Study Assessments
- Adult Protective Services in the United States
- African Americans
- Aging
- Aging out of foster care
- Aging, Physical Health and
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Problems
- Alcohol and Drug Problems, Prevention of Adolescent and Yo...
- Alcohol Problems: Practice Interventions
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
- Anti-Oppressive Practice
- Asian Americans
- Asian-American Youth
- Assessment
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Baccalaureate Social Workers
- Behavioral Health
- Behavioral Social Work Practice
- Bereavement Practice
- Bisexuality
- Brief Therapies in Social Work: Task-Centered Model and So...
- Bullying and Social Work Intervention
- Canadian Social Welfare, History of
- Case Management in Mental Health in the United States
- Central American Migration to the United States
- Child Maltreatment Prevention
- Child Neglect and Emotional Maltreatment
- Child Poverty
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Child Welfare
- Child Welfare and Child Protection in Europe, History of
- Child Welfare Practice with LGBTQ Youth and Families
- Children
- Children of Incarcerated Parents
- Christianity and Social Work
- Chronic Illness
- Clinical Social Work Practice with Adult Lesbians
- Clinical Social Work Practice with Males
- Cognitive Behavior Therapies with Diverse and Stressed Pop...
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Community
- Community Development
- Community Policing
- Community-Based Participatory Research
- Community-Needs Assessment
- Comparative Social Work
- Computational Social Welfare: Applying Data Science in Soc...
- Conflict Resolution
- Council on Social Work Education
- Counseling Female Offenders
- Criminal Justice
- Crisis Interventions
- Cultural Competence and Ethnic Sensitive Practice
- Culture, Ethnicity, Substance Use, and Substance Use Disor...
- Dementia Care
- Dementia Care, Ethical Aspects of
- Depression and Cancer
- Development and Infancy (Birth to Age Three)
- Differential Response in Child Welfare
- Digital Storytelling for Social Work Interventions
- Direct Practice in Social Work
- Disabilities
- Disability and Disability Culture
- Disasters
- Divorce
- Domestic Violence Among Immigrants
- Early Pregnancy and Parenthood Among Child Welfare–Involve...
- Eating Disorders
- Ecological Framework
- Economic Evaluation
- Elder Mistreatment
- End-of-Life Decisions
- Epigenetics for Social Workers
- Ethical Issues in Social Work and Technology
- Ethics and Values in Social Work
- Ethnicity
- European Institutions and Social Work
- European Union, Justice and Home Affairs in the
- Evidence-based Social Work Practice
- Evidence-based Social Work Practice: Finding Evidence
- Evidence-based Social Work Practice: Issues, Controversies...
- Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs
- Families
- Families with Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Parents
- Family Caregiving
- Family Group Conferencing
- Family Policy
- Family Services
- Family Therapy
- Family Violence
- Fathering Among Families Served By Child Welfare
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
- Field Education
- Financial Literacy and Social Work
- Financing Health-Care Delivery in the United States
- Forensic Social Work
- Foster Care
- Foster care and siblings
- Gay Men
- Gender, Violence, and Trauma in Immigration Detention in t...
- Generalist Practice and Advanced Generalist Practice
- Group Work
- Group Work across Populations, Challenges, and Settings
- Group Work, Research, Best Practices, and Evidence-based
- Harm Reduction
- Health Care Reform
- Health Disparities
- Health Social Work
- History of Social Work and Social Welfare, 1900–1950
- History of Social Work and Social Welfare, 1950-1980
- History of Social Work and Social Welfare, pre-1900
- History of Social Work from 1980-2014
- History of Social Work in China
- History of Social Work in Northern Ireland
- History of Social Work in the Republic of Ireland
- History of Social Work in the United Kingdom
- HIV/AIDS
- HIV/AIDS and Children
- HIV/AIDS Prevention with Adolescents
- Homelessness
- Homelessness Outside the United States
- Housing
- Human Needs
- Human Trafficking, Victims of
- Immigrant Integration in the United States
- Immigrant Policy in the United States
- Immigrants and Refugees
- Immigrants and Refugees: Evidence-based Social Work Practi...
- Immigration and Health Disparities
- Immigration and Intimate Partner Violence
- Immigration and Poverty
- Immigration and Spirituality
- Immigration and Substance Use
- Impact of Emerging Technology in Social Work Practice
- Impaired Professionals
- Implementation Science and Practice
- Indigenous Peoples
- Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employmen...
- In-home Child Welfare Services
- Intergenerational Transmission of Maltreatment
- International Social Welfare
- International Social Work
- International Social Work and Education
- International Social Work and Social Welfare in Southern A...
- Internet and Video Game Addiction
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy
- Intervention with Traumatized Populations
- Interviewing
- Intimate-Partner Violence
- Juvenile Justice
- Kinship Care
- Korean Americans
- Latinos and Latinas
- Law, Social Work and the
- LGBTQ Populations and Social Work
- Life Span
- Mainland European Social Work, History of
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Management and Administration in Social Work
- Maternal Mental Health
- Measurement, Scales, and Indices
- Medical Illness
- Men: Health and Mental Health Care
- Mental Health
- Mental Health Diagnosis and the Addictive Substance Disord...
- Mental Health Needs of Older People, Assessing the
- Mental Illness: Children
- Mental Illness: Elders
- Meta-analysis
- Microskills
- Middle East and North Africa, International Social Work an...
- Military Social Work
- Mixed Methods Research
- Moral distress and injury in social work
- Motivational Interviewing
- Multiculturalism
- Native Americans
- Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
- Neighborhood Social Cohesion
- Neuroscience and Social Work
- Nicotine Dependence
- Occupational Social Work
- Organizational Development and Change
- Pain Management
- Palliative Care
- Palliative Care: Evolution and Scope of Practice
- Pandemics and Social Work
- Parent Training
- Personalization
- Person-in-Environment
- Philosophy of Science and Social Work
- Physical Disabilities
- Podcasts and Social Work
- Police Social Work
- Political Social Work in the United States
- Positive Youth Development
- Postmodernism and Social Work
- Postsecondary Education Experiences and Attainment Among Y...
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Poverty
- Practice Interventions and Aging
- Practice Interventions with Adolescents
- Practice Research
- Primary Prevention in the 21st Century
- Productive Engagement of Older Adults
- Profession, Social Work
- Program Development and Grant Writing
- Promoting Smart Decarceration as a Grand Challenge
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation
- Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Theory
- Psychoeducation
- Psychometrics
- Psychopathology and Social Work Practice
- Psychopharmacology and Social Work Practice
- Psychosocial Framework
- Psychosocial Intervention with Women
- Psychotherapy and Social Work
- Qualitative Research
- Race and Racism
- Readmission Policies in Europe
- Redefining Police Interactions with People Experiencing Me...
- Rehabilitation
- Religiously Affiliated Agencies
- Reproductive Health
- Research
- Research Ethics
- Restorative Justice
- Risk Assessment in Child Protection Services
- Risk Management in Social Work
- Rural Social Work in China
- Rural Social Work Practice
- School Social Work
- School Violence
- School-Based Delinquency Prevention
- Services and Programs for Pregnant and Parenting Youth
- Severe and Persistent Mental Illness: Adults
- Sexual and Gender Minority Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylu...
- Sexual Assault
- Single-System Research Designs
- Social Development
- Social Insurance and Social Justice
- Social Intervention Research
- Social Justice and Social Work
- Social Movements
- Social Planning
- Social Policy
- Social Policy in Denmark
- Social Security in the United States (OASDHI)
- Social Work and Islam
- Social Work and Social Welfare in East, West, and Central ...
- Social Work and Social Welfare in Europe
- Social Work Education and Research
- Social Work Leadership
- Social Work Luminaries: Luminaries Contributing to the Cla...
- Social Work Luminaries: Luminaries contributing to the fou...
- Social Work Luminaries: Luminaries Who Contributed to Soci...
- Social Work Regulation
- Social Work Research Methods
- Social Work with Interpreters
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Strategic Planning
- Strengths Perspective
- Strengths-Based Models in Social Work
- Suicide
- Supplemental Security Income
- Survey Research
- Sustainability: Creating Social Responses to a Changing En...
- Syrian Refugees in Turkey
- Systematic Review Methods
- Task-Centered Practice
- Technology Adoption in Social Work Education
- Technology for Social Work Interventions
- Technology, Human Relationships, and Human Interaction
- Technology in Social Work
- Terminal Illness
- Terrorism
- The Impact of Systemic Racism on Latinxs’ Experiences with...
- Transdisciplinary Science
- Translational Science and Social Work
- Transnational Perspectives in Social Work
- Transtheoretical Model of Change
- Trauma
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Triangulation
- Tribal child welfare practice in the United States
- Unions
- United States, History of Social Welfare in the
- Universal Basic Income
- Veteran Services
- Vicarious Trauma Redefining PTSD
- Victim Services
- Violence
- Virtual Reality and Social Work
- Welfare State Reform in France
- Welfare State Theory
- Women and Macro Social Work Practice
- Women's Health Care
- Work and Family in the German Welfare State
- Workfare
- Workforce Development of Social Workers Pre- and Post-Empl...
- Working with Non-Voluntary and Mandated Clients
- Young and Adolescent Lesbians
- Youth at Risk
- Youth Services