Associations Between Abortion, Mental Disorders, and Suicidal Behaviour in a Nationally Representative Sample

The relation between abortion, mental disorders, & suicidality was examined using an American nationally representative sample. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between abortion & lifetime mood, anxiety, substance use, eating, & disruptive behaviour disorders as well as suicide ideation & attempts. After adjusting for sociodemographics, abortion was associated with an increased likelihood of several mental disorders, suicide ideation, & suicide atempts. Adjusting for violence weakened some of these assocations. For all disorders examined, less than one-half of women reported their mental disorder began after the first abortion. Possible mechanisms of the relationship are discussed. (55 refs.)