New Zealand study shows mental health dangers after abortion

Published: 2006-01-05

PERTH, Australia (CNS) -- Citing a lack of scientific research on abortion, a New Zealand medical team has published a new study highlighting mental health dangers for women who have an abortion. The New Zealand study found that a young woman's risk of depression, anxiety, and drug and alcohol abuse is raised by having an abortion. "Abortion is the most common medical or surgical procedure young women undergo by far, and there are potential adverse reactions," said psychologist and epidemiologist David Fergusson of Christchurch University in New Zealand. "The aim of our research was never political. It was to say, 'The science in this area is not good. Let's add to it.'" The study followed 1,265 children born in the 1970s. The research showed that 41 percent of more than 500 women remaining in the study had become pregnant by age 25, and 14.5 percent of those remaining had sought an abortion.

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