Socioeconomic situation and health outcomes of single parents

Abstract

Objective: Individualization and pluralization of lifestyles have led to a continually growing number of one-parent families (lone parents) in the Federal Republic of Germany. In 2003, there were approximately 2.4 million lone parents with children living in Germany. Over 80% of lone parents are women. The objective of this review is to summarize the scientific evidence concerning health outcomes and socioeconomic conditions of lone parents. Methods:We performed a structured literature review to identify relevant studies. Scientific evidence of the past 14 years (1990)(1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004) was assessed and summarized in a review.Results: It was particularly noticeable that, in comparison to married mothers, lone mothers more frequently showed evidence of mental disorders. Unfavourable income conditions, unemployment, dependency on social welfare and a low standard of education have a negative effect on the health outcomes of lone parents and their children. No reliable national and international evidence exists which permits a statement to be made about the health of lone fathers in comparison to married fathers or lone mothers.Conclusion: Present scientific evidence indicates that there is a need for research and action to improve the health-related and socioeconomic situation of lone parents. Various programmes for lone parents have already been carried out with different degrees of success. In future, epidemiological studies have to compare "subgroups" in order to determine whether health-care opportunities among lone parents are more strongly influenced by marital status or by socioeconomic conditions. The results of these studies will influence the reasoning for the type and structure of supportive measures and finally the efficiency of the programmes.

Association of social support and socio-demographic characteristics with poor self-rated health and depressive symptomatology among single mothers in Cyprus: a descriptive cross-sectional study

“…These findings are also consistent with the majority of the relevant studies [40]. Significant associations were also observed with either depressive symptoms or worse self-assessed level of health and educational level, employment status, family income, single family status and children age [38, 41, 42]. …”

Socioeconomic status, social support and self-rated health among lone mothers in South Korea

“…Such phenomena, which the present study found in South Korea, are in line with previous studies in Western countries (Benzeval 1998;Neises and Grüneberg 2005;Westerling 2006, 2007;Young et al 2005), suggesting that lone mothers seem to be more vulnerable to socioeconomic disadvantages and poor social support than are their partnered counterparts.…”

“…Second, we did not include several important variables associated with poorer health, such as unhealthy behaviors (e.g., smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, irregular exercise/ eating habits, and taking pain-killers/psychotropic drugs), body mass index, physical/mental problems, and low social capital, because these factors were not available for assessment (Curtis 2001;Wang 2004;Westin and Westerling 2007;Young et al 2005). Neises and Grüneberg (2005) performed a structured literature review across the European Union and reported that lone mothers suffer more frequently from these risk behaviors and problems. Therefore, the findings of this study cannot be interpreted directly in terms of the association between lone mothers and 'poor/fair' health.…”

“…Lone mothers have greater physical and mental health problems than do partnered mothers, and researchers have also noted that the health disparity between lone and partnered mothers can be largely attributed to differences in socioeconomic status (Benzeval 1998;Fritzell and Burström 2006;Lipman et al 1997;Neises and Grüneberg 2005;Wang 2004;Westin and Westerling 2006). For example, lone mothers are not only less educated than are partnered mothers, but also less likely to be employed; furthermore, they are less likely to be of medium or high household economic status, as measured by both objective and subjective criteria, which may lead to poor health.…”

Children's delayed development and behavior problems: Impact on mothers' perceived physical health across early childhood

“…Belzeval, 1998; Chen, Ryan-Henry, Heller, & Chen, 2001; Neises & Gruneberg, 2005; Waters et al, 2000). Despite extensive research documenting poor psychological outcomes facing parents raising children with delayed development, little research has examined these parents’ physical health.…”