Living in states with restrictive abortion laws is associated with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression among women of childbearing age, according to a recent study published in JAMA. The research, conducted by a team from Johns Hopkins University, examined responses from over 700,000 participants in the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey between December 2021 and January 2023.
The study focused on women aged 18 to 45, considering them within the childbearing age bracket. The researchers honed in on the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate the federal constitutional right to abortion in June 2022. Specifically, they examined women residing in 13 states with “trigger laws,” preemptive abortion bans activated after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
From June 2022 to the year’s end, women in trigger-law states experienced more substantial increases in depression and anxiety symptoms compared to those in the other 37 states. Jennifer Payne, a professor at the University of Virginia’s department of psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences, emphasizes that this pattern underscores the unexpected shock caused by the Supreme Court’s decision.
Previous studies have also linked restrictive abortion laws to poorer mental health, with one reporting a 10% increase in mental distress among women anticipating the loss of abortion rights post the Supreme Court’s ruling. While the current study focused on symptoms below the diagnostic threshold for depressive or anxiety disorders, Payne suggests a potential correlation with diagnostic data, noting the increased risk of major depression due to abortion refusal.
Abortion restrictions impact women negatively beyond potential procedure requirements. Payne notes that many women view these restrictions as a broader attack on their rights, even if they don’t need the procedure. Additionally, concerns about governmental control over women’s health, including potential limitations on contraception access, contribute to the negative effects.
The data also revealed a notable finding: no statistically significant difference in anxiety and depression symptoms in men across states or time frames. The study raises questions about ongoing developments, as the newest survey data included was collected a year ago. Payne suggests potential worsening outcomes in trigger states due to doctor shortages and inappropriate charges, but the study’s discrepancy could also reflect an initial shock that has since lessened.
Regardless, the study emphasizes the significant public-health impact of abortion restrictions, extending beyond reproductive health to affect the overall well-being of women.
