Citation
Sullins, Paul (2016). Abortion and mental health in early adulthood: Longitudinal evidence from the United States.
2016 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD.
Abstract
Objective: To examine the links between pregnancy outcomes (birth, abortion, or involuntary pregnancy loss) and mental health outcomes for U. S. women during the transition into adulthood. Method: Panel data on pregnancy history and mental health history for a nationally-representative cohort of 4,515 women at (average) ages 15, 22, and 28 years from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health were examined for risk of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, cannabis abuse, and nicotine dependence by pregnancy outcome. Results: After adjustment for confounding, abortion was associated with a 30% increased risk of mental health disorders examined. Birth was associated with a 40% reduced risk, and association with pregnancy loss was mixed. Conclusion: The evidence confirms previous findings that, unlike other pregnancy outcomes, abortion may be associated with a small to moderate increase in risk of mental health disorders during late adolescence and early adulthood.
URL
https://addhealth.cpc.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/events/2016%20Add%20Health%20Users%20Conference%20Abstracts_2016_06_16.pdfReference Type
Conference proceeding
Book Title
2016 Add Health Users Conference
Author(s)
Sullins, Paul
Year Published
2016
City of Publication
Bethesda, MD
Reference ID
6335
