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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Alissa Perrucci, PhD, MPH, Provider Services Division, California Family Health Council, Inc., 2550 Ninth Street, Suite 110, Berkeley, CA 94710, (510) 486-0412 x2316, perruccia@cfhc.org and Jennifer Sigafoos, JD, Planning & Public Policy Division, California Family Health Council, Inc., 2550 Ninth Street, Suite 110, Berkeley, CA 94710.

In California, a ballot measure for a constitutional amendment mandating parental notification for a minor's abortion decision was defeated in the November 2005 election, but proponents have initiated the process to have a similar measure placed on future ballots. Proponents of parental involvement laws believe that they further parent-child communication and reduce sexual activity in minors. However, current research on the impact of parental involvement laws in a minor's abortion decision has not demonstrated that they accomplish either of these aims. Data from this study will come from an anonymous, self-administered survey to minors (estimated N=2,000) seeking family planning services in Title X clinics in California. Data will be presented on minors' pregnancy resolution intentions in the case that confidential services were rescinded. Differences in pregnancy resolution decisions across the perceived quantity and quality of parental communication on sexual issues will also be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• List 3 assumptions that are the basis of parental involvement laws in minors’ abortion decisions
• Describe differences in minors’ pregnancy resolution intentions upon the loss of confidential abortion services
• Understand the relationship between parent-child communication patterns and minors’ pregnancy resolution intentions

Keywords: Abortion, Adolescent Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered