THE RELATIONSHIP OF ABORTION TO WELL-BEING - DO RACE AND RELIGION MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Relationships of abortion and childbearing to well-being were examined for 1,189 Black and 3,147 White women. Education, income, and having a work role were positively and independently related to well-being fo r all women. Abortion did not have an independent relationship to well -being, regardless of race or religion, when well-being before becomin g pregnant was controlled. These findings suggest professional psychol ogists should explore the origins of women's mental health problems in experiences predating their experience with abortion, and they can as sist psychologists in working to ensure that mandated scripts from ''i nformed consent'' legislation do not misrepresent scientific findings.