David Fergusson

David Murray Fergusson (May 1944 – 3 October 2018) was a New Zealand psychologist. He was a professor of psychological medicine at the University of Otago, Christchurch, from 1999 until 2015. He is notable for work on the Christchurch Health and Development Study and for his research on abortion and mental health.

Early life Born in London, England, in May 1944, Fergusson joined the Merchant Navy when he was 15 years old. However, he subsequently emigrated to New Zealand, and began working for an electronics firm in Wellington in 1965. The university states that as of 2018, over 480 publications had been produced, using data gathered from the cohort.

One study using data from the study found that cannabis use was associated with a number of adverse outcomes, including cannabis dependence and the use of other illicit drugs.

Abortion studies Fergusson published a number of studies regarding abortion and mental health.

A self-described pro-choice atheist and rationalist, Fergusson undertook his first investigation with the expectation that his cohort data would prove that the apparent link between abortion and mental health problems would be explained by pre-existing factors.

The study found abortion was linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicidal behaviours. At age 25, 42% of the women in the cohort had experienced major depression during the previous four years, twice that of other women.

While retaining a pro-choice position, Fergusson's research convinced him that: "Abortion is a traumatic life event; that is, it involves loss, it involves grief, it involves difficulties. And the trauma may, in fact, predispose people to having mental illness."

Other work Fergusson is also known for his research pertaining to domestic violence.

Later life and death Following his retirement from the University of Otago in 2015, Fergusson did consulting work for the Ministry of Social Development.

Honours and awards Fergusson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2006. The same year, he was awarded the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences gold medal for research excellence. On his retirement from Otago in 2015, Fergusson was conferred the title of emeritus professor.

Fergusson was an Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Psychological Society and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.