Many previous studies have shown that abortion can push women into abyss of depression. These studies affirmed that mental health of women suffered after they undergo an abortion.

But the recent study by American Psychological Association has dejected all such notions. The study has shown that abortion can cause some sorrow or distress in women but it can’t be the only reason of depression.

The study also showed that women who have single abortion do not have higher risk of mental health problems such as depression, claimed by earlier studies. Earlier studies claimed that women who had abortion after giving birth to many babies have a few chances of depression as compared to women who had single abortion.

Brenda Major, a psychologist specializing in stress at the University of California Santa Barbara said, "The best scientific evidence published indicates that among adult women who have an unplanned pregnancy, the relative risk of mental health problems is no greater if they have a single elective first-trimester abortion or deliver that pregnancy."

The panel of psychologists appointed by the American Psychological Association studied the data collected from various earlier studies.

Researchers said that prior mental health emerged as the strongest predictor of post-abortion mental health. Many of these same factors also predict negative psychological reactions to other types of stressful life events, including childbirth. They added that abortion is done by free choice of women. They explained that there are many others factors which can lead to depression after abortion. These factors could be forced abortion, prior history of medical illness, low self esteem due to traditional views of society about abortion and absence of emotional support.

Researchers added that the present study covered a small group of adult women with unplanned pregnancies. These women had single abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Researchers added that findings of present research can’t be applied to group of teenagers getting abortion, women who have multiple abortions, and those who have abortions later in pregnancy.

The report said, "A teenager who terminates her first pregnancy, for example, may experience different psychological effects compared to an adult woman who terminates a pregnancy after giving birth to several children."