JAMA: Increased Depression & Anxiety in Trigger States After Dobbs Decision

In a free article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA. 2024;331(4):294-301. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.25599) (PDF), researcher report that "[l]iving in states with trigger abortion bans compared with living in states without such bans was associated with a small but significantly greater increase in anxiety and depression symptoms after the Dobbs abortion opinion." The authors conclude:

The findings provide new evidence about the relationship between the changing abortion policy landscape and mental health following the Dobbs opinion. Although there were increases in symptoms of anxiety and depression for the general population after the opinion, changes in symptoms of anxiety and depression were greater among those living in states with trigger abortion bans, and in particular, among females within the age range generally used to compute lifetime abortion incidence. This finding could be related to many factors, including fear about the imminent risk of abortion denial; uncertainty around future limitations on abortion and other related rights, such as contraception; worry over the ability to receive lifesaving medical care during pregnancy; and a general sense of violation and powerlessness related to loss of the right to reproductive autonomy.