Changes

Note the second type of study is conveniently restricted to the U.S. resulting in elimination of at least 40 studies. As a reviewer, I summarized these and sent them to the APA. There is an insufficient rationale (cultural variation) for exclusively focusing on U.S. studies when it comes to this type of study.   

Note the second type of study is conveniently restricted to the U.S. resulting in elimination of at least 40 studies. As a reviewer, I summarized these and sent them to the APA. There is an insufficient rationale (cultural variation) for exclusively focusing on U.S. studies when it comes to this type of study.   

Introduction of this exception allowed the Task Force to ignore studies like a large Swedish study of 854 women one year after an abortion, which incorporated a semi-structured interview methodology requiring 45–75 minutes to administer (Soderberg et al, 1998). Rates of negative experiences were considerably higher than in previously published studies relying on more superficial assessments. Specifically, 50-60% of the women experienced emotional distress of some form (e.g., mild depression, remorse or guilt feelings, a tendency to cry without cause, discomfort upon meeting children), 16.1% experienced serious emotional distress (needing help from a psychiatrist or psychologist or being unable to work because of depression), and 76.1% said that they would not consider abortion again (suggesting indirectly that it was not a very positive experience).

Introduction of this exception allowed the Task Force to ignore studies like a large Swedish study of 854 women one year after an abortion, which incorporated a semi-structured interview methodology requiring 45–75 minutes to administer (Soderberg et al., 1998). Rates of negative experiences were considerably higher than in previously published studies relying on more superficial assessments. Specifically, 50-60% of the women experienced emotional distress of some form (e.g., mild depression, remorse or guilt feelings, a tendency to cry without cause, discomfort upon meeting children), 16.1% experienced serious emotional distress (needing help from a psychiatrist or psychologist or being unable to work because of depression), and 76.1% said that they would not consider abortion again (suggesting indirectly that it was not a very positive experience).

The APA Task Force's conclusions were limited to cases of a single, elective abortion of adult women and did not address abortions for teenagers (representing about 17% of all abortions), nor did it address the effects of multiple abortions on women, which account for about half of all abortions in the United Stateds.<ref name=wsj1>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121868309379939765.html Study Fails to Find Link On Abortion, Mental Health] By STEPHANIE SIMON, The Wall Street Journal August 14, 2008; Page D6. accessed 8/15/2008</ref>  The lead author, Brenda Major told Reuters that "The evidence regarding the relative mental health risks assocaited with multiple abortions is more uncertain."<ref name="reuters1">[http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN1346057620080813 "One abortion no threat to mental health: group"] Reuters. Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:59pm EDT accessed 8/15/2005.</ref>  Women with prior mental health problems, women who worried about stigma or secrecy, and those with low self-esteem, the Task Force concluded, were more likely to develop mental health problems after an abortion.<ref name="reuters1"/>

The APA Task Force's conclusions were limited to cases of a single, elective abortion of adult women and did not address abortions for teenagers (representing about 17% of all abortions), nor did it address the effects of multiple abortions on women, which account for about half of all abortions in the United Stateds.<ref name=wsj1>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121868309379939765.html Study Fails to Find Link On Abortion, Mental Health] By STEPHANIE SIMON, The Wall Street Journal August 14, 2008; Page D6. accessed 8/15/2008</ref>  The lead author, Brenda Major told Reuters that "The evidence regarding the relative mental health risks assocaited with multiple abortions is more uncertain."<ref name="reuters1">[http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN1346057620080813 "One abortion no threat to mental health: group"] Reuters. Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:59pm EDT accessed 8/15/2005.</ref>  Women with prior mental health problems, women who worried about stigma or secrecy, and those with low self-esteem, the Task Force concluded, were more likely to develop mental health problems after an abortion.<ref name="reuters1"/>

In 1969, four years before ''Roe v Wade'', the American Psychological Association adopted as part of it's official policy the political position that abortion is a civil right.<ref name=hdavid>David, H. [http://web.uvic.ca/~apadiv34/contents/PEPB/PEPB253.pdf "Retrospectives" From APA Task Force to Division 34"] Population & Environmental Psychology Bulletin 1999, 25(3):2-3.</ref> The petition was

In 1969, four years before ''Roe v Wade'', the American Psychological Association adopted as part of its official policy the political position that abortion is a civil right.<ref name=hdavid>David, H. [http://web.uvic.ca/~apadiv34/contents/PEPB/PEPB253.pdf "Retrospectives" From APA Task Force to Division 34"] Population & Environmental Psychology Bulletin 1999, 25(3):2-3.</ref> The petition was

:WHEREAS, termination of unwanted pregnancies is clearly a mental health and child welfare issue, and a legitimate concern of APA; be it resolved, that termination of pregnancy be considered a civil right of the pregnant woman, to be handled as other medical and surgical procedures in consultation with her physician...<ref name="Throck2">[http://www.drthrockmorton.com/article.asp?id=204 Abortion and American Psychology] Warren Throckmorton, PhD</ref>

:WHEREAS, termination of unwanted pregnancies is clearly a mental health and child welfare issue, and a legitimate concern of APA; be it resolved, that termination of pregnancy be considered a civil right of the pregnant woman, to be handled as other medical and surgical procedures in consultation with her physician...<ref name="Throck2">[http://www.drthrockmorton.com/article.asp?id=204 Abortion and American Psychology] Warren Throckmorton, PhD</ref>