Study Suggests Abortion Does Not Cause Mental Health Problems

August 22, 2008

According to a draft report from the American Psychological Association (APA), a single elective abortion of an unintended pregnancy in and of itself does not cause mental health problems for adult women. 

The study was conducted by The APA Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion.  According to APA’s recent press release, the study evaluated all empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals since 1989 that compared the mental health of women who had an induced abortion to comparison groups of women, or that examined factors that predict mental health among women who have had an elective abortion in the United States.

The task force acknowledged that some studies found that that some women do experience sadness, grief and feelings of loss following an abortion.  The report noted that women have abortions for many different reasons and within different personal, social, economic and cultural circumstances, all of which could affect a woman's mental state following abortion. However, the study eliminated less credible research that did not acknowledge co-occurring risk factors, such as poverty, prior exposure to violence, a history of emotional problems, or a history of drug or alcohol use.  The Task Force reported that such studies may lead to reports of associations between abortion history and mental health problems that are misleading

The American Psychological Association (APA), is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students, and has 6 Canadian provincial associations.

To find out more, read APA’s press release, or the Task Force’s full report.