Abortion Not Linked To Mental Health Risk

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Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Mental Health;  Psychology / Psychiatry;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 11 Dec 2011 - 4:00 PST

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Having an induced abortion in itself does not raise a female's chances of developing mental health problems, says a report, claimed to be the largest and most comprehensive ever, published by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AOMRC), UK. The authors added that whether the pregnant woman decides to have an abortion or proceed with her pregnancy has no impact on health subsequent mental health.

The review, carried out by the NCCMH (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, part of the Royal College of Psychiatrists), was commissioned by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.

The Steering Group sifted through 180 potential published studies from 1990 to 2011 and eventually included 44.

The Review concluded that: When a woman has an unwanted pregnancy, her chances of developing mental health problems are increased.Terminating an unwanted pregnancy with abortion does not result in a higher risk of mental health problems, compared to seeing that (unwanted) pregnancy to full term.What does have an impact on whether a woman who has an induced abortion subsequently might have mental health problems is her mental health history, i.e. a woman with a history of mental health problems has a greater risk of developing mental health problems after an abortion compared to a woman with no history of mental health problems who has an abortion.If a woman has a negative overall attitude to abortions, and then has one, there is a greater risk of her having mental health problems afterwards.Women who are under pressure from their partners to have an abortion are more likely to have mental health problems, compared to women who abort without such pressure.The review added that some other stressful life events may increase a woman's risk of having mental health problems after an abortion.The authors stressed that it is not the abortion itself that is the predictor of mental health problems, but rather, other factors.

The authors say future practice and research should concentrate on providing support for all females who have an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy.

Chair of the Steering Group, Dr Roch Cantwell, a consultant perinatal psychiatrist, said:

"Our review shows that abortion is not associated with an increase in mental health problems. Women who are carrying an unwanted pregnancy should be reassured that current evidence shows they are no more likely to experience mental health problems if they decide to have an abortion than if they decide to give birth."

NCCMH Director, Professor Tim Kendall, who is also a member of the Steering Group, said:

"This review has attempted to address the limitations of previous reviews of the relationship between abortion and mental health. We believe that we have used the best quality evidence available, and that this is the most comprehensive and detailed review of the mental health outcomes of induced abortion to date worldwide."

AOMRC Chairman, Professor Sir Neil Douglas, said:

"The Academy recognizes that this is a complex and controversial area, where there have been many conflicting research findings. We welcome this extremely high-quality review from the NCCMH, and endorse its findings."

The Family Planning Association (FPA) and Brook said they welcomed the review. They both stated that there is now compelling evidence that when a woman has had, or is wondering whether to have an abortion, that the procedure is safe and does not have a direct impact on her mental health.

They went on to say that forcing women who are having an abortion to have counseling is both "unnecessary" and "patronizing".

The FPA and Brook jointly wrote:

"Giving women accurate and honest information about abortion is essential and is something that FPA and Brook take extremely seriously. However, we know that misinformation about mental health can be used as a scare tactic by third parties, to try and deter women from considering abortion.

"We hope this new report will prevent this type of scaremongering and ensure women receive the non-judgemental support and information they need."

Dr Kate Guthrie, a spokesperson from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) said that this latest Review is welcomed. They have revised their own guidelines regarding the care for females seeking induced abortion according to its findings, which include informing the women of what possible emotional responses are possible during and after an abortion.

Dr. Guthrie said:

"It is important that all women, and particularly those with a history of previous mental health problems, are offered appropriate support and if needed follow-up.

It is essential that healthcare workers identify women that are vulnerable in any way and offer the appropriate aftercare.

Abortion including aftercare is an essential part of women's healthcare services, alongside access to contraception and family planning information."

In a published response placed on its website, SPUC mentioned the following points, which are from stories told by a large number of women. The charity adds that several studies with empirical findings demonstrate that there are psychological consequences from having an abortion: After an abortion, a woman experiences a wide range of negative emotions, such as shame, regret, doubt, grief, guilt, loneliness and sadness.Some women who experience relief after undergoing an abortion, subsequently experience negative emotions.Some females may experience PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), triggered by an abortion.Even though a history of mental health problems may impact on the risk of having mental health problems following an abortion - it in no way accounts for all of the effect.The following risk factors increase the chances of a woman suffering psychological harm after an abortion: no social and emotional support, uncertainty and ambivalence about whether to have an abortion, partner violence, and a history of mental health problems.Abortion raises the risk of developing bipolar disorder, depressive psychosis, schizophrenia, neurotic depression, anxiety, and depression.Abortion raises the risk of subsequent substance abuse and self harm, especially when a woman who had an abortion gets pregnant again.Women who have an abortion because of a fetal disability are especially susceptible to psychological damage.A list of studies supporting the negative consequences of abortion for the woman are listed on this page.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Visit our abortion section for the latest news on this subject. Induced Abortion and Mental Health
"A Systematic Review of the Mental Health Outcomes of Induced Abortion, Including Their Prevalence and Associated Factors. December 2011" (PDF, 252 pages)
Developed for the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges by National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, London, 2011 Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

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Christian Nordqvist. "Abortion Not Linked To Mental Health Risk." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 11 Dec. 2011. Web.
11 Dec. 2011. APA

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posted by Dr. Spock on 11 Dec 2011 at 5:09 am

This is about the dumbest study out there. Honestly, you people should be shot!

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posted by Amanda Gonzalez on 11 Dec 2011 at 5:31 am

I am American and have lived in the UK. I am grateful for this study. In my country, the land of polarized views, knee-jerk sound-bites, extreme atheists and bible-bashers, and niche politics, such a study would never be done. If if it were, I would doubt its impartiality.

Thank you.

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posted by John Ambery on 11 Dec 2011 at 5:32 am

In the eyes of God, abortion is a sin. The focus should not be on the mother, she is the vehicle for new life. The new life needs a chance, everything else is irrelevant.

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posted by Father of Two on 11 Dec 2011 at 5:56 am

Based on what I read here, this was less a "study" than a selective survey of other studies. While the article calls this a "review," other commenters and the media are undoubtedly giving this headline more due than it's worth.

And it seems difficult to imagine that deciding to terminate a pregnancy does not carry with it significant prospects for future emotional turmoil. The pro-abortion groups' use of such "data" to promote these procedures soft-pedals what is and should be an extremely grave moral decision to terminate another life.

This fundamental, ethical decision should be the focus of concern. If people can be desensitized to its magnitude, as this review suggests, it says something quite tragic about our world and its throwaway and convenience-based priorities.

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posted by kww on 11 Dec 2011 at 6:03 am

Their are studies that show a link between women that have had abortions and higher rates of certain cancers like breast.

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posted by Dave on 11 Dec 2011 at 6:11 am

That's a great and hopefully healthy attitude / belief for you. However, not everyone believes as you do and as I'm sure you wouldn't want other people or cultures or religions expecting you to adopt their personal beliefs I hope ask that you don't push your personal or religious beliefs on others.

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posted by Ranger on 11 Dec 2011 at 6:11 am

I know two women personally that have suffered depression and years long guilt as a result of abortion. Perhaps some do not. But I am witness to the problems it can cause.

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View the original article here

Higher Minimum Legal Drinking Ages Linked To Lower Rates Of Suicides And Homicides Later In Life

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Also Included In: Public Health;  Mental Health
Article Date: 17 Nov 2011 - 0:00 PST

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Prior to the 1984 passage of a uniform drinking-age limit of 21 years in the U.S., many states permitted the legal purchase of alcohol at age 18. These lower drinking ages have been associated with several adverse outcomes such as higher rates of suicide and homicide among youth. A new study of individuals who were legally permitted to drink before the age of 21 has found they remain at elevated risk for suicide and homicide as adults, particularly women born after 1960.

Results will be published in the February 2012 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research and are currently available at Early View.

"After prohibition, most states had a drinking age of 21," explained Richard A. Grucza, an epidemiologist at Washington University School of Medicine, and corresponding author for the study. "In the late 1960s and early 1970s, as voting rights were extended to people as young as 18, and people of that age were also being drafted to serve in Viet Nam, a lot of states lowered their drinking ages. But by the late 1970s, we saw spikes in DUI-related deaths among young people and states began to revert to a drinking age of 21. The 1984 federal act was really just a completion of change that was already underway."

"Alcohol-control policies are always controversial, as many people are generally in opposition to laws which seem to govern individual choices and behavior," observed Katherine M. Keyes, a post-doctoral fellow in epidemiology at Columbia University. "However, this study and other data make the case for minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) laws as a public health benefit incredibly clear: MLDA laws save lives, both among young people and as currently demonstrated, throughout the life course."

Grucza added that he and his colleagues had earlier observed higher rates of alcohol and drug use disorders among adults - both men and women - who were born in states that allowed alcohol sales to youth under age 21. Furthermore, other shorter-term studies had found higher rates of DUI accidents, other drinking behaviors, suicides, and homicides in states with lower drinking ages during the time those laws were in effect. "So studying the longer-term effects of drinking ages on suicide and homicide was a logical next step," he said.

Grucza and his co-authors used data from the U.S. Multiple Cause of Death files, 1990-2004, along with data on living populations from the U.S. Census and American Community Survey. The combined data contained records on more than 200,000 suicides and 130,000 homicides for individuals who turned 18 between the years 1967 and 1989, the years during which legal drinking ages were in flux.

"A number of adverse consequences were associated with lower drinking ages during the time periods that those laws were in effect, including elevated rates of suicide and homicide," said Grucza. "In this study we found that youth who lived in states with lower drinking ages remain at elevated risk for suicide and homicide as adults. The effect seems to be specific for women."

"This study is an incredibly important documentation of the long-term impact of alcohol-control policies," said Keyes. "These findings indicate that populations among whom alcohol was restricted until age 21 experience health benefits of that restriction throughout adulthood, with significantly reduced risk of homicide and suicide among women in more recently born cohorts." More specifically, study authors estimated that the national drinking age of 21 years may be preventing approximately 600 suicides and 600 homicides annually.

"Suicide and homicide are very different phenomena," observed Grucza. "For homicide, females are victimized by acquaintances in 92 percent of the cases. If lower drinking ages result in elevated rates of alcohol problems, this could contribute to alcohol-fueled domestic violence. Alcohol use by both women and their partners could contribute to domestic-violence situations. For suicide, it may be that alcohol contributes to the severity of suicide attempts. In general, women attempt suicide more often than men, but men complete - or die from - suicide more often than women. Alcohol problems may tip the balance by turning attempts into completions more often, and this would be particularly risky for women because of the higher number of attempts."

"While women are less likely overall to drink and develop alcohol use disorders compared to men, the consequences of drinking are often more harmful for women," added Keyes. "This study adds important evidence to the literature, indicating that exposure to alcohol during a critical period of development in young adulthood may have long ranging health consequences for women, increasing the risk of suicide and homicide throughout the life course."

"Many scientists believe the adolescent brain is especially vulnerable to the effects of drugs, including alcohol," said Grucza. "But a lot of the findings supporting that idea come from animal experiments that can't be extended to humans. We saw drinking-age changes as a 'natural experiment' to see what happens to young people who have easy access to alcohol compared to those whose access is restricted: if early drinking was a true risk factor for subsequent alcoholism, then we should see multiple adverse long-term consequences among people who lived under more permissive drinking age laws as youth. Our results help to solidify the case for drinking age laws."

Keyes concurred. "Grucza and colleagues have elegantly demonstrated that individuals who were young adults during a time in which they could legally drink between the ages of 18 and 21 have far-reaching health consequences in adulthood," she said. "Given that debate over the MLDA in the U.S. continues to persist, especially in light of the Amethyst Initiative supported by many college presidents which advocates returning to an age 18 MLDA, this study is an important reminder of the public-health effectiveness of controlling alcohol at the population level during a very critical time in development. These data underscore that, especially for young women, drinking during young adulthood can lead to a wide range of consequences throughout the life course."

"The 21 MLDA was initially adopted to reduce the number of DUI related accidents and other social consequences of drinking involving young people," added Grucza. "The finding that it may also save lives and reduce problems during adulthood shows the importance of maintaining these laws, and developing other interventions aimed toward reducing drinking among young people."

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our alcohol / addiction / illegal drugs section for the latest news on this subject. Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research (ACER) is the official journal of the Research Society on Alcoholism and the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism. Co-authors of the ACER paper, "The Legacy of Minimum Legal Drinking Age Law Changes: Long-Term Effects on Suicide and Homicide Deaths among Women," were: Pamela R Hipp, Laura Rundell, Anastasia Evanoff, Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, and Laura J. Bierut of the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine; and Karen E. Norberg of the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine, and the National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health. This release is supported by the Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network at http://www.attcnetwork.org/.
Washington University School of Medicine
Columbia University
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA

Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. "Higher Minimum Legal Drinking Ages Linked To Lower Rates Of Suicides And Homicides Later In Life." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 17 Nov. 2011. Web.
9 Dec. 2011. APA
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. (2011, November 17). "Higher Minimum Legal Drinking Ages Linked To Lower Rates Of Suicides And Homicides Later In Life." Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/237760.php.

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View the original article here

Higher Minimum Legal Drinking Ages Linked To Lower Rates Of Suicides And Homicides Later In Life

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Also Included In: Public Health;  Mental Health
Article Date: 17 Nov 2011 - 0:00 PST

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Prior to the 1984 passage of a uniform drinking-age limit of 21 years in the U.S., many states permitted the legal purchase of alcohol at age 18. These lower drinking ages have been associated with several adverse outcomes such as higher rates of suicide and homicide among youth. A new study of individuals who were legally permitted to drink before the age of 21 has found they remain at elevated risk for suicide and homicide as adults, particularly women born after 1960.

Results will be published in the February 2012 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research and are currently available at Early View.

"After prohibition, most states had a drinking age of 21," explained Richard A. Grucza, an epidemiologist at Washington University School of Medicine, and corresponding author for the study. "In the late 1960s and early 1970s, as voting rights were extended to people as young as 18, and people of that age were also being drafted to serve in Viet Nam, a lot of states lowered their drinking ages. But by the late 1970s, we saw spikes in DUI-related deaths among young people and states began to revert to a drinking age of 21. The 1984 federal act was really just a completion of change that was already underway."

"Alcohol-control policies are always controversial, as many people are generally in opposition to laws which seem to govern individual choices and behavior," observed Katherine M. Keyes, a post-doctoral fellow in epidemiology at Columbia University. "However, this study and other data make the case for minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) laws as a public health benefit incredibly clear: MLDA laws save lives, both among young people and as currently demonstrated, throughout the life course."

Grucza added that he and his colleagues had earlier observed higher rates of alcohol and drug use disorders among adults - both men and women - who were born in states that allowed alcohol sales to youth under age 21. Furthermore, other shorter-term studies had found higher rates of DUI accidents, other drinking behaviors, suicides, and homicides in states with lower drinking ages during the time those laws were in effect. "So studying the longer-term effects of drinking ages on suicide and homicide was a logical next step," he said.

Grucza and his co-authors used data from the U.S. Multiple Cause of Death files, 1990-2004, along with data on living populations from the U.S. Census and American Community Survey. The combined data contained records on more than 200,000 suicides and 130,000 homicides for individuals who turned 18 between the years 1967 and 1989, the years during which legal drinking ages were in flux.

"A number of adverse consequences were associated with lower drinking ages during the time periods that those laws were in effect, including elevated rates of suicide and homicide," said Grucza. "In this study we found that youth who lived in states with lower drinking ages remain at elevated risk for suicide and homicide as adults. The effect seems to be specific for women."

"This study is an incredibly important documentation of the long-term impact of alcohol-control policies," said Keyes. "These findings indicate that populations among whom alcohol was restricted until age 21 experience health benefits of that restriction throughout adulthood, with significantly reduced risk of homicide and suicide among women in more recently born cohorts." More specifically, study authors estimated that the national drinking age of 21 years may be preventing approximately 600 suicides and 600 homicides annually.

"Suicide and homicide are very different phenomena," observed Grucza. "For homicide, females are victimized by acquaintances in 92 percent of the cases. If lower drinking ages result in elevated rates of alcohol problems, this could contribute to alcohol-fueled domestic violence. Alcohol use by both women and their partners could contribute to domestic-violence situations. For suicide, it may be that alcohol contributes to the severity of suicide attempts. In general, women attempt suicide more often than men, but men complete - or die from - suicide more often than women. Alcohol problems may tip the balance by turning attempts into completions more often, and this would be particularly risky for women because of the higher number of attempts."

"While women are less likely overall to drink and develop alcohol use disorders compared to men, the consequences of drinking are often more harmful for women," added Keyes. "This study adds important evidence to the literature, indicating that exposure to alcohol during a critical period of development in young adulthood may have long ranging health consequences for women, increasing the risk of suicide and homicide throughout the life course."

"Many scientists believe the adolescent brain is especially vulnerable to the effects of drugs, including alcohol," said Grucza. "But a lot of the findings supporting that idea come from animal experiments that can't be extended to humans. We saw drinking-age changes as a 'natural experiment' to see what happens to young people who have easy access to alcohol compared to those whose access is restricted: if early drinking was a true risk factor for subsequent alcoholism, then we should see multiple adverse long-term consequences among people who lived under more permissive drinking age laws as youth. Our results help to solidify the case for drinking age laws."

Keyes concurred. "Grucza and colleagues have elegantly demonstrated that individuals who were young adults during a time in which they could legally drink between the ages of 18 and 21 have far-reaching health consequences in adulthood," she said. "Given that debate over the MLDA in the U.S. continues to persist, especially in light of the Amethyst Initiative supported by many college presidents which advocates returning to an age 18 MLDA, this study is an important reminder of the public-health effectiveness of controlling alcohol at the population level during a very critical time in development. These data underscore that, especially for young women, drinking during young adulthood can lead to a wide range of consequences throughout the life course."

"The 21 MLDA was initially adopted to reduce the number of DUI related accidents and other social consequences of drinking involving young people," added Grucza. "The finding that it may also save lives and reduce problems during adulthood shows the importance of maintaining these laws, and developing other interventions aimed toward reducing drinking among young people."

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our alcohol / addiction / illegal drugs section for the latest news on this subject. Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research (ACER) is the official journal of the Research Society on Alcoholism and the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism. Co-authors of the ACER paper, "The Legacy of Minimum Legal Drinking Age Law Changes: Long-Term Effects on Suicide and Homicide Deaths among Women," were: Pamela R Hipp, Laura Rundell, Anastasia Evanoff, Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, and Laura J. Bierut of the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine; and Karen E. Norberg of the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine, and the National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health. This release is supported by the Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network at http://www.attcnetwork.org/.
Washington University School of Medicine
Columbia University
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA

Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. "Higher Minimum Legal Drinking Ages Linked To Lower Rates Of Suicides And Homicides Later In Life." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 17 Nov. 2011. Web.
8 Dec. 2011. APA
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. (2011, November 17). "Higher Minimum Legal Drinking Ages Linked To Lower Rates Of Suicides And Homicides Later In Life." Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/237760.php.

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

View the original article here