Post-abortion psychiatric disorder: clinical and training implications

The Christchurch Health and Development Study is a longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 1265 children born in Christchurch, New Zealand, 30 years ago. Fergusson et al’s study deals with the relationship between pregnancy-related events, including abortion, and subsequent mental health among women assessed at several time points. The methodology and statistical analysis is complex and the control for over 30 confounders, including the issue of wanting the pregnancy or not, makes this study unique. These variables represent those that have been identified in the scientific literature as potentially leading to problems when interpreting previous studies that have postulated a causal link between abortion and mental health problems. The focus of Fergusson et al’s study is on common mental disorders, including substance misuse. It was not powered to examine the relationship, if any, between induced abortion and psychotic disorders.