When they began to share their stories, nearly all were surprised by the depth of emotion they still felt. Theresa Burke, PhD, director of the Center for Post-Abortion Healing in Bridgeport, Pa., says many women do not initially connect their symptoms to the abortion. What they're experiencing is grief from loss. This is an area where Feminists for Life can help - by letting women know there is help available. Symptoms of post-abortion distress are most prevalent in women who felt that having an abortion compromised their beliefs or desires to keep the child.
Teenage women are especially likely to experience post-abortion distress.
One study found that one out of every three teenagers who aborted showed signs of emotional aftermath. Another study reported that less than one-fourth of teens who aborted were able to cope with the aftermath of their abortion in an undestructive manner. Silent No More . Although there has been some exploration of abortion's effects on women and girls, virtually nothing has been done to understand how abortion affects fathers. Because abortion is portrayed as a woman's issue, men often feel powerless when their partner decides to have an abortion.