An abortion following an unintended pregnancy is generally not the cause of mental health issues in young women. This is the conclusion of economist Bettina Siflinger. She emphasizes that the risk behavior leading to the pregnancy has a greater impact on young women’s mental health than the abortion itself. She reached this conclusion using an advanced econometric model.
The topic of abortion continues to spark debate, especially as the number of abortions worldwide is increasing. Some studies suggest a link between abortion and mental health issues, which opponents use as an argument for stricter regulations. But are these concerns justified?
Siflinger studied women aged 15 to 23 from a region in Sweden, using an advanced econometric model that accounts for hidden differences between women. ’Previous studies overestimated the link between abortion and mental health because they failed to account for age-dependent and other hidden factors’, she explains.
Hidden differences among women
By grouping women to risk profiles, Siflinger and her team were able to consider factors that are unobserved and age-dependent, such as self-control, unprotected sex, and excessive alcohol consumption. ’When women become pregnant due to risky behavior, there is no causal effect of abortion on mental health issues, this research founds. At least not in Sweden, in other countries, however, social stigma may still play a role in mental health outcomes’, says Siflinger.
Prevention
Siflinger advocates for a greater focus on prevention. Instead of emphasizing stricter abortion laws or relying solely on mental health care after pregnancies occur, more support should be provided to help women address risky behaviors such as unprotected sex or excessive alcohol consumption. Tackling these underlying problems could potentially reduce the risk of mental health issues (and pregnancies).
About the research
The paper ’ Mental health and abortions among young women: time-varying unobserved heterogeneity, health behaviors, and risky decisions ’ by Lena Janys and, Bettina Siflinger has been published in the top core scientific journal Journal of Econometrics.