Sad News to Report: A newly published study in The Internet Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatology has found that
Women Having Abortions More Likely to Engage in Child Abuse:

The purpose of this study was to explore maternal history of induced abortion as a possible variable linked with increased frequency of child physical abuse in a sample of mothers who have either personally mistreated their children or allowed someone else to do so. The findings indicated that women who had an abortion history reported more frequent slapping, hitting, kicking or biting, beating, and use of physical punishment compared to women without an abortion history, after statistical controls were instituted for other forms of perinatal loss and socio-demographic, family of origin, and boyfriend/husband aggressive behaviors identified as significant predictors of the choice to abort.

Priscilla K. Coleman, Vincent M. Rue, Catherine T. Coyle, Charles D. Maxey: Induced Abortion and Child-Directed Aggression Among Mothers of Maltreated Children. The Internet Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatology. 2007. Volume 6 Number 2. ISSN: 1528-8374

More background provided here:

"Previous research has also shown that abortion is linked with a subsequent increased risk of alcoholism, drug use, anxiety, rage, anger and psychiatric hospitalization," Reardon said. "Any of these factors, individually or in combination, can significantly increase the personal and family stresses that can lead to maltreatment or neglect."

A previous study by Coleman found that a maternal history of abortion was linked to less supportive home environments for subsequently born children and that subsequent children exhibited more behavioral problems than the children of women without a history of abortion.

Other research conducted in New Zealand tracked young women from birth to 25 years of age found that young women who had abortions were significantly more likely to experience subsequent depression, suicidal behavior and substance abuse, even after the researchers controlled for previous mental health problems.

"Taken all together, these studies show that the mental health effects of abortion don't stop with women," Reardon said. "They will impact their families, too."

As mentioned, this isn't isolated or age-old news. That "previous study by Coleman" in 2002, in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, specifically found that among first-born children, when the mother had a history of prior abortion, there was lower emotional support in the home given to children ages one to four, plus more behavioral problems among five- to nine-year-olds. And it was true no matter what the mother's age was, or her education level, the family's income, the number of children in the home or whether she had a history of prior depression. ["The quality of care giving environment and child development outcomes associated with maternal history of abortion using the NLSY data," 43(6):743-757.]

And that study was read and/or cited at a Science, Technology, and Space Hearing on "The Impact of Abortion on Women," Wednesday, March 3, 2004, to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

So let's see if we've got this straight: the Senate has known for three years about this link between a mother's prior abortion and subsequent reduced emotional support to her children. Now they know it's much worse than that. It's a link to outright child abuse.

And this nation's politicians and judges continue to do nothing but protect abortion, instead of children.


SEE RELATED POST HERE.

HT: Hudson Valley Coalition for Life