ABORTION AND PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS

Statistics indicate that the incidence of pregnancy termination throug h abortion is on the rise among adolescents. This trend is particularl y disturbing because many teenagers opting for an abortion disclose th at they engaged in unprotected sexual activities. Despite the ostensib le willingness of teenagers to rely upon abortion as a method of birth control, evidence suggests that the procedure may have enduring negat ive repercussions. Previewing, which focuses the adolescent on predict ing the likely consequences of her behavior, may be a beneficial thera peutic intervention in these cases. During short-term psychotherapy, p reviewing may help teenagers anticipate the likely outcome of abortion and thus modify behavior patterns so that pregnancy and abortion may be avoided.