| Abstract: | Psychological evidence regarding minors' competence to consent to abortion is reviewed. Topics covered include the source and nature of advice regarding the abortion decision, conformity to peer and parent advice, how the "developmental tasks" of adolescence influence pregnancy decision making, and reasoning skills. The small sample size and limited generalizability of existing research make it difficult to draw conclusions about minors' competence. Although several areas of potential difference between the decision-making skills of minors and legal adults are identified, the psychological research presently provides no basis to restrict minors' decision making on the ground of competence alone. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
