A new review published in the journal Contraception by Johns Hopkins researchers found no link between abortion and psychological trauma or long-term effects on mental health. The review also found that “studies with the most flawed methodology consistently found negative mental health consequences of abortion [and that] scientists are still conducting research to answer politically motivated questions,” according to US News and World Report.
Doctoral student Vignetta Charles, who contributed to the review, commented: “Based on the best available evidence, emotional harm should not be a factor in abortion policy. If the goal is to help women, program and policy decisions should not distort science to advance political agendas,” according to Reuters.
The researchers reviewed all peer-reviewed, English-language studies published between 1989 and 2008 that examined questions related to long-term mental health and abortion.
