https://wthrockmorton.com/2008/11/30/new-zealand-study-examines-abortion-and-mental-health-link/ A [retired] college psychology professor's observations about public policy, mental health, sexual identity, and religious issues Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:32:31 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://wthrockmorton.com/2008/11/30/new-zealand-study-examines-abortion-and-mental-health-link/#comment-24188 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:32:31 +0000 https://www.wthrockmorton.com/?p=2488#comment-24188 Okay Table 2 of the study is a little odd.
In the 5 year lag model the RRs (risk ratios) are:
1.32 (Abortion)
1.06 (Pregnancy Loss)
1.05 (unwanted pregnancy – live birth)
1.22 (no adverse reaction – live birth)
Yes the abortion group shows a 32% increase overall in mental health problems, but the group that decided not to have an abortion shows a 22% increase in mental health problems – and this in the group that had no adverse reaction to being pregnant. Oddly the group that didn’t want to be pregnant – but had the baby anyway – did significantly better in mental health outcomes.
That leads me to wonder if the unwanted preganancy-livebirth group isn’t very representative.
And if we are to believe table 2 – we would have to conclude that motherhood isn’t the greatest thing for mental health either.

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