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Childhood adversities and subsequent risk of one or multiple abortions

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  • Steinberg, Julia R.
  • Tschann, Jeanne M.

Abstract

Although many studies have found an association between childhood adversities and mental health disorders, few have examined whether childhood adversities are linked to having abortions. This research investigates the association between a range of childhood adversities and risk of abortion in part to identify which adversities should be considered when examining the association between abortion and subsequent mental health. Using the U.S. National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R), we tested the association between 10 childhood adversities and risk of 0, 1, or multiple abortions among 1511 women ages 18–41. We employed multinomial logistic regression to examine the independent association between each childhood adversity and number of subsequent abortions, controlling for sociodemographic factors, total number of pregnancies, and each adversity. Women who had experienced two or more personal safety threats, one parental mental illness, or two or more parental mental illnesses while growing up were more likely subsequently to have multiple versus no abortions [Relative Risk Ratio (RRR) = 9.87, 95% CI: 2.45–39.72; OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.27–6.21; RRR = 5.28, 95% CI: 1.60–17.38, respectively], and multiple versus one abortion [RRR = 13.33, 95% CI: 2.48–71.68; RRR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.03–4.56; RRR = 3.67, 95% CI: 1.15–11.76, respectively]. Women who had experienced childhood physical abuse were more likely to have one compared to no abortions [RRR = 2.00; 1.19–3.34]. These results suggest that some childhood adversities may partially explain the association between abortion and mental health. Accordingly, they should be considered in future research examining the link between abortion and mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Steinberg, Julia R. & Tschann, Jeanne M., 2013. "Childhood adversities and subsequent risk of one or multiple abortions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 53-59.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:81:y:2013:i:c:p:53-59
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.11.011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steinberg, Julia R. & Finer, Lawrence B., 2011. "Examining the association of abortion history and current mental health: A reanalysis of the National Comorbidity Survey using a common-risk-factors model," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(1), pages 72-82, January.
    2. Steinberg, Julia Renee & Russo, Nancy F., 2008. "Abortion and anxiety: What's the relationship?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(2), pages 238-252, July.
    3. Elise Jones & Jacqueline Forrest, 1992. "Underreporting of abortion in surveys of U.S. women: 1976 to 1988," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 29(1), pages 113-126, February.
    4. Jagannathan, R., 2001. "Relying on surveys to understand abortion behavior: Some cautionary evidence," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(11), pages 1825-1831.
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