Summary: Women Who Abort More Prone to Abuse Future Children

Compared to women with no history of any induced abortion, those with one prior abortion have a 144% higher risk for child abuse. Abortion has also been linked with pronounced psychological problems in at least 10-25% of women.

 

• Acta Paediatrica study explored maternal history of perinatal loss relative to risk of child physical abuse and neglect. The study included 118 abusive mothers, 119 neglecting mothers, and 281 mothers with no known history of child maltreatment. The study found that compared to women with no history of perinatal loss, those with one loss (voluntary or involuntary) had a 99% higher risk for child physical abuse, and women with multiple losses were 189% more likely to physically abuse their future children. The study also found that compared to women with no history of induced abortion, those with one prior abortion had a 144% higher risk for child physical abuse. It also found that pregnancy loss through miscarriage, stillbirth, and induced abortion has been linked with pronounced psychological problems in at least 10-25% of women.¹

¹Abortion and Increased Risk of Child Abuse: Child Maltreatment and Perinatal Loss, Acta Paediatrica, 2005, pp. 1-6.

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