Recent changes in the emotional reactions of therapeutic aboriton applicants.
The emotional status of one hundred women applying for therapeutic abortions during 1967/68 was compared with that of 100 more recent applicants in 1975. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory of the two groups reveals a significant reduction in psychopathology amongst the more recent applicants. This difference remains when group differences in age are controlled, and applies when married and single subgroups are considered separately. These results are interpreted as suggesting that the generally more liberal social atmosphere surrounding present-day abortions is reducing psychological stress among women undergoing this procedure.
D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic; D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008393:Marriage; D011247:Pregnancy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales