abortion mental health thesis

Abortion and Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Contemporary Review of the Literature

Published: 28 October 2024

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Megan Masten 1 ,
Olivia Campbell 2 ,
Sarah Horvath 3 &
Leilah Zahedi-Spung 1 , 4

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Purposeof Review

This review discusses the importance of abortion care and access for mental wellbeing for people seeking abortion, abortion providers, and trainees. The recent Dobbs v. Jackson case has jeopardized the physical and mental health of millions.

Recent Findings

Much of the data regarding mental health impacts of abortion access comes from the Turnaway Study. This study supports that abortion does not cause negative mental health effects and being denied abortion is detrimental to mental health, physical health, and has negative socioeconomic impacts.

Other recent studies support that the Dobbs decision continues to disproportionately harm historically marginalized groups. Additionally, there is more anxiety and depression reported in states with abortion restrictions. Many obstetrician gynecologists are moving away from restricted states and report moral distress due to restrictions. Many medical students are choosing not to apply to obstetrics and gynecology residency programs in states with abortion restrictions.

Access to abortion care is important for mental and physical health, and socioeconomic well-being for people seeking abortion. Restrictive bans negatively affect people seeking abortion, as well as healthcare providers and trainees.

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What Is the Impact of Having an Abortion on People’s Mental Health?

Abortion and Mental Health

Unintended Pregnancy, Induced Abortion, and Mental Health

Data availability.

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

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Division of Complex Family Planning, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Denver, Colorado, USA

Megan Masten & Leilah Zahedi-Spung

University of Colorado School of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Denver, Colorado, USA

Olivia Campbell

College of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pennsylvania State University Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA

Sarah Horvath

Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Denver, Colorado, USA

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Authors M.M. and O.C. did the primary literature review and search. Authors M.M., O.C., and L.Z.S prepared the body of the manuscript. S.H. edited and made changes throughout. L.Z.S. and M.M. finalized edits and completed the manuscript. All authors reviewed the manuscript prior to submission.

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Correspondence to Megan Masten .

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Masten, M., Campbell, O., Horvath, S. et al. Abortion and Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Contemporary Review of the Literature. Curr Psychiatry Rep (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-024-01557-6

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Accepted : 21 October 2024

Published : 28 October 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-024-01557-6

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Abortion care
Abortion restrictions
Maternal mental health
Physician burnout

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