Effects of Family Structure on Mental Health of Children: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Background:To find any association between family structure and rates of hospitalization as an indicator for behavior problems in children.Methods:Retrospective chart review of 154 patients who were admitted to the preadolescent unit at Lincoln Prairie Behavioral Health Center between July and December 2012.Results:We found that only 11% of children came from intact families living with biological parents while 89% had some kind of disruption in their family structure. Two-third of the children in the study population had been exposed to trauma with physical abuse seen in 36% of cases. Seventy-one percent had reported either a parent or a sibling with a psychiatric disorder. Children coming from biologically family were less likely to have been exposed to trauma. Children coming from single/divorced families were less likely to have been exposed to sexual abuse but more likely to have a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to other types of families. Strong association was found between exposure to trauma and certain diagnoses in respect to hospitalization. ADHD predicted a 4 times likelihood of having more than one previous hospitalization, with mood disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and physical abuse increasing the risk by more than twice.Conclusions:Significant differences in family structure were demonstrated in our study of children being admitted to inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. The presence of trauma and family psychiatric history predicted higher rates of readmission. Our study highlighted the role of psychosocial factors, namely, family structure and its adverse effects on the mental well-being of children.

Childhood ADHD and treatment outcome: the role of maternal functioning

“…In terms of risk and resilience, numerous studies have documented the relationship between parental risk factors and child development. For example; association between family structure and mental wellbeing of children (rate of readmissions to hospital) were investigated and pointed to the significance of family trauma and family psychiatric history [ 59 ]. Further, in a meta-analysis of clinical samples, maternal functioning was found to be more important than factors in the child in shaping the quality of infant-mother attachment relationship [ 60 ].…”

The prevalence of childhood trauma in psychiatric outpatients

“…ACEs comprise exposure to chronic environmental stressors such as domestic violence, childhood maltreatment (e.g., emotional, physical or sexual abuse, etc.) and interpersonal loss (e.g., parental mental illness, parental divorce, or parental death) as a child (17 years and below) [4–7]. Children exposed to severe maltreatment and trauma during their early childhood are at a higher risk of early onset of mental disorders [8], increased health-harming behaviors [9, 10], poorer social adjustment, functioning, educational and employment outcomes as adolescents and adults [6, 11–15].…”

Immigration, citizenship, and the mental health of adolescents

“…[ 1 ] New-found independence, the increased importance of peer interaction, and substantial physical and mental development increases the risk of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems. [ 2 ] Indeed, adolescence is the most common time in an individual’s life for psychiatric illness to emerge. [ 3 ] Not only is mental health status more likely to emerge during adolescence, but under-treated mental health problems during adolescence increase the risk of negative outcomes throughout the life-course, including disability, loss of future productivity and contribution to the community, lower educational achievement, and a higher likelihood of risky behaviors.…”