General Topic: How does Abortion affect the conceiver’s psychological and mental health?

Independent Variable: View of abortion (moral and ethical issue vs a choice for individuals)/ Pro-life vs Pro-Choice.

Dependent Variable: Psychological responses to the topic of abortion.
Paragraph 1: Cut and paste the what we know and what we don’t know parts of your
updated elevator pitch here. Save your research question or hypothesis for the end of the
introduction. (Many women after having abortions experience feelings of guilt, depression, regret, isolation, alienation, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. Many women who have had a miscarriage also turn to drug addiction in an attempt to cope with the pain they feel. Many women still feel the pain and regret of having an abortion decades after they have had it. We don’t know whether it should be a mother’s or a child’s decision. Individuals who view abortion as a moral and ethical issue report more negative psychological reactions than those who view abortion as a personal choice.)
Literature Review
Add a short paragraph introducing your population separate from your variables. If your
population is children, give us a little context about that developmental period. If your population
is defined by an institution (school, drug rehabilitation, hospitalization) talk a little about your
population’s experience in that institution or how being there affects them.
Dependent Variable + Population
One way to organize the information about your DV is to start by defining it conceptually
and talking about how other researchers have measured it. Then talk about prevalence rates of
your DV in population. Finally, add whatever else you want to tell your readers about regarding
your DV.
Independent Variable + Population
Similar to the DV, it can be easiest to start by defining your IV conceptually and talking
about how other researchers have measured it. Then talk about prevalence rates of your IV in
population if you are doing a correlational study or talk about how common your treatment is in
the field, who it is used with and who it works with. Finally, add whatever else you want to tell
your readers about regarding your IV.
Independent Variable + Dependent Variable in Population
For this section, talk about what other researchers have found about the relationship of
your DV and IV in your population or the impact of your treatment (IV) in your population. If

you haven’t found any for your population (not a bad thing – it means there is new to study!) talk
about any research on your IV/DV combo in other populations. For instance, if your population
is adolescents and all of the research has been on adults, tell us about that research.
Relationship/Impact in other populations if no studies w/population exist
Gap & Limitations
Briefly recap the gaps that exist in the literature (what we don’t know from your elevator
pitch). Talk about how your study will fill the gap and state the type of study you did
(correlational, experimental, etc.). End with a research question or hypothesis

Refernce:

Bradford, K. (2020). State Policies on Sex Education in Schools. National Conference of Legislatures. https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-policies-on-sex-education-in-schools.aspx

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0226417

: Kaplan, C, A., Tischauser, L. V., PhD, & Chara, P. J. . J., PhD. (2020). Abortion. Magill’s Medical Guide (Online Edition). https://salempress.com/Media/SalemPress/samples/mmg_pgs-1.pdf

Richard, Lawrence. 1 Aug. 2020, “Poll: 77 Percent Of Women Regret Their Abortions, Describe Horrible Process.” SARAH PALIN, www.sarahpalin.com/2020/08/01/poll-77-percent-women-regret-abortions-describe-horrible-process/

Rayburn, W. F. (2018). Emotional Responses to Abortion: A Systematic Review. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 131(2), 344-351. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002247

: Hviid, A., Laursen, M., Pedersen, C. B., & Gøtzsche, P. C. (2019). Abortion and mental health: a population-based cohort study. BMC Medicine, 17(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-019-1271-2

Dutton, K. M., Harris, L. H., Wilke, A. E., & Cole, J. L. (2019). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Abortion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Psychosomatic Medicine, 81(8), 744-756. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000706

:  Mancini, A. D., Correia, M. J., & DiCenso, A. (2019). Emotional Reactions to Abortion: A Systematic Review. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 37(2), 135-153. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2018.1523987

ANSWER

The Psychological Impact of Abortion: Exploring the Interplay Between Views on Abortion and Mental Health

Introduction

Many individuals undergoing abortion experience a range of psychological responses, including feelings of guilt, regret, and anxiety. The complex interplay between one’s view of abortion as a moral and ethical issue versus a personal choice contributes to the diversity of psychological reactions. This study aims to investigate the psychological and mental health outcomes of individuals undergoing abortion, considering the influence of differing perspectives on the morality and personal nature of this decision.

What We Know and What We Don’t Know

Many women who undergo abortion report experiencing a myriad of emotions, including guilt, depression, and regret. However, the question of whether the decision should be primarily influenced by the mother’s or the child’s perspective remains unanswered. Individuals who view abortion as a moral and ethical issue often report more negative psychological reactions than those who view it as a personal choice.

Literature Review

Dependent Variable + Population: The psychological responses to abortion vary widely. Some studies, such as those by Dutton et al. (2019) and Mancini et al. (2019), have explored emotional reactions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and overall emotional well-being after abortion. These responses are prevalent among diverse populations, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of psychological outcomes.

Independent Variable + Population: The view of abortion as a moral and ethical issue versus a personal choice influences the decision-making process. Bradford (2020) provides insights into state policies on sex education, indicating varying perspectives on the moral and ethical dimensions of abortion. Understanding the prevalence of these views within different populations contributes to contextualizing the psychological responses observed.

Independent Variable + Dependent Variable in Population: Hviid et al. (2019) conducted a population-based cohort study, examining the relationship between abortion and mental health. While their findings contribute valuable insights, gaps exist in understanding how differing views on abortion within specific populations impact psychological outcomes. Limited research within certain populations underscores the need for a more comprehensive exploration.

Relationship/Impact in Other Populations if No Studies w/Population Exist

Limited research specifically addressing the relationship between views on abortion and psychological outcomes within certain populations emphasizes the gap in the literature. While studies like those by Rayburn (2018) and Kaplan et al. (2020) provide insights into emotional responses and medical aspects of abortion, a gap persists in understanding the nuanced impact of moral and ethical considerations on mental health outcomes in various populations.

Gap & Limitations

The literature review reveals a gap in understanding the specific psychological responses associated with views on abortion within distinct populations. This study aims to address this gap by examining the interplay between the moral and ethical perspectives on abortion and the psychological outcomes within diverse groups.

Research Question or Hypothesis

This study seeks to investigate the psychological impact of abortion within various populations, considering the influence of differing views on abortion as a moral and ethical issue versus a personal choice. The research question is: How do varying perspectives on abortion contribute to the psychological responses of individuals within specific populations?