Table 3

Changes in mental health outcomes between T1 and T4 in each pregnancy termination group. Cohen's d estimates the changes in outcome variables in the two pregnancy termination groups. Within-group analysis was performed using paired t-tests and between-group analysis was performed using ANCOVA (estimated with controls for all four possible confounders, i.e. marital status, number of children, vocational activity and former psychiatric health).

Outcome at corresponding interviews:
Change in the miscarriage group from T1 to T4: Cohen's d
Change in the induced abortion group from T1 to T4: Cohen's d
Differential change between groups from T1–T4: Exact p-value

IES intrusion
1.92***
0.85***
p = 0.096
IES avoidance
1.20***
0.21**
p = 0.003
Quality of life
-0.69***
-0.40**
p = 0.628
HADS anxiety
0.10
0.02
p = 0.999
HADS depression
0.80**
0.30*
p = 0.314
Feelings, rated 1–5:



Relief
-0.50
0.07
p = 0.081
Grief
1.54***
0.41***
p = 0.015
Loss
1.22***
0.08
p = 0.007
Guilt
0.93***
0.00
p < 0.001
Shame
0.47
0.17
p = 0.088
Anger
0.86***
0.34**
p = 0.027

T1 = 10 days after pregnancy termination

T4 = five years after pregnancy termination

Significant change from T1 to T4 (in each pregnancy termination group) by paired t-test: *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.

Broen et al. BMC Medicine 2005 3:18   doi:10.1186/1741-7015-3-18