Abortion's Deleterious Effects on Women: Comprehensive Study Provides Convincing Evidence of Psychological Damage.

Results of the Canterbury Health and Development Study published in the December edition of the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines revealed that young women who aborted were at a significantly higher risk for depression, anxiety, suicidal behaviors, and substance use disorders compared to both women who carried a pregnancy to term and those who were never pregnant. This is only the latest in a string of well-documented studies that demonstrate a link between abortion and subsequent psychological and behavioral problems.

The study was lead by pro-choice researcher, David Fergusson of the Christchurch School of Medicine & Health Sciences. As noted in the New Zealand Herald, Dr. Fergusson said there is little evidence that abortion improves mental health.

Dr. Fergusson told CNSNews.com "It is a very sensitive and emotive subject. People have cherished beliefs that they don't want challenged." He added, "There's a distinct possibility -- more than a distinct possibility - that abortion may have mental health consequences."

Dr. Fergusson went further in his comments to the New Zealand Herald.

"If we were talking about an antibiotic or an asthma risk, and someone reported adverse reactions, people would be advocating further research to evaluate risk," he said. "I see no good reason why the same rules don't apply to abortion."

In the research report, Dr. Fergusson and his colleagues sternly questioned the American Psychological Association's recent conclusion that "well-designed studies of psychological responses following abortion have consistently shown that risk of psychological harm is low." >TX They note that the this strong conclusion was based on a small number of studies, which suffer form significant methodological problems as well as a general disregard for studies showing negative effects.

The Fergusson ...