(Christchurch, New Zealand) The results of a study conducted to address the dearth of reliable data found that women having abortions risk developing later mental health problems - including depression, anxiety and drug and alcohol abuse. A team of researchers at the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, led by Dr. David Fergusson, conducted the study with the results to be published this week in the Journal of Child Psychiatry and Psychology.
From SMH.com.au:
The findings tipped the balance of scientific evidence towards the conclusion that abortion increased psychological distress rather than alleviating it, said Professor Fergusson, who supports unrestricted access to abortion and describes himself as "an atheist, a rationalist and pro-choice." That could make it more difficult for doctors to claim they were performing an abortion on health grounds, he said.
"There'll be cheering for our results on the pro-life side and denouncing us angrily on the pro-choice side," said Professor Fergusson, a psychologist and epidemiologist at the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
That's an understatement, Doc. The abortion rights advocates will be screaming about this research.
I'm sure they'll dispute the methodology of the study and significance of the findings. It's also probably a safe assumption that the mainstream American media will downplay the research, if it's reported. And, that's a big 'if.' Leftist news outlets likely will not want the public to know that abortions lead to long-term adverse consequences.
Companion post at Interested-Participant.
Well I would point out that the research was done by the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
I'm sure there's no bias there.
Another thing to think about is who is actually getting abortions? I would gather it was people who already have a bunch of these problems prior to getting an abortion. Those getting drunk or drugged up and ending up knocked up, those who are depressed or have low self-esteem and using sex as an escape or those in poor areas with higher drug and alchohol use that can't afford a child and therefore go the abortion route.
I think the research is flawed and tries to blame all these issues on the fact that they had an abortion rather than taking into account whether these issues were present before the abortion.
Of course I'm pro-choice myself, but seeing who did the study shows a clear potential for pre-existing results they just want the findings to support rather than true science.
Posted by: Digger on January 4, 2006 01:53 AM
Digger,
Of course, you are aware that Christchurch is the name of the city? I doubt if the city's name would be indicative of a bias. Maybe when it was founded, but not in present-day leftist New Zealand. If any bias exists, I would imagine it to be pro-choice.
Posted by: mike on January 4, 2006 06:07 AM
