Risk Factors Identified by Pro-Choice Sources

terminating a pregnancy that is wanted or meaningful
perceived pressure from others to terminate a pregnancy
perceived opposition to the abortion from partners, family, and/or friends
lack of perceived social support from others
various personality traits (e.g., low self-esteem, a pessimistic outlook, low-perceived control over life)
a history of mental health problems prior to the pregnancy
feelings of stigma
perceived need for secrecy
exposure to antiabortion picketing
use of avoidance and denial coping strategies
Feelings of commitment to the pregnancy
ambivalence about the abortion decision
low perceived ability to cope with the abortion
history of prior abortion
late term abortion
By parsing of the APA summary conclusion that "adult women who have an unplanned pregnancy the relative risk of mental health problems is no greater if they have a single elective first-trimester abortion than if they deliver that pregnancy," it also appears that the APA is identifying the following as risk factors

p29 - Table 3-2.

Low self-efficacy: expecting depression, severe grief or guilt, and regret after the abortion
Low self-esteem prior to the abortion
An existing mental illness or disorder prior to the abortion
Significant ambivalence about the decision
Lack of emotional support and receiving criticism from significant people in their lives
Perceived coercion to have the abortion
Belief that a fetus is the same as a 4-year-old human and that abortion is murder
Fetal abnormality or other medical indications for the abortion
Usual coping style is repressing thoughts or denial
Unresolved past losses and perceptions of abortion as a loss
Experiencing social stigma and antiabortion demonstrators on the day of the abortion
Commitment to the pregnancy

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