Psychological distress and socioeconomic status in single mothers and their children in a German city.

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

Clinical Institute of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany.

Published: February 2003

AI Article Synopsis

  • The study highlights the growing number of single mothers in Germany and the lack of dedicated support programs for them, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
  • It identifies specific subgroups of single mothers who experience higher levels of distress, which can inform the development of support initiatives.
  • Findings reveal that lower socioeconomic status and lack of personal support correlate with increased psychological distress among single mothers and behavioral issues in their children, indicating a critical need for preventive measures.

Article Abstract

Background: The proportion of single mothers in western countries is continuously growing. In contrast to other western countries, support programs in Germany especially for single mothers are rare. This study identifies for the first time in Germany within a large epidemiological sample different subgroups of higher distressed single mothers as important potential target groups for psychosocial support interventions. Facing limited resources, data about these subgroups are helpful to develop and establish specific support programs.

Method: In a cross-section study, family status of a complete cohort of school beginners in Duesseldorf (N = 5178 children, aged 5-7 years) was screened within the school eligibility test (recruitment rate 97.5 %, N = 5048). Out of a total of 891 single mothers, 531 fulfilling inclusion criteria (speaking fluent German, not married, living together with the tested child, informed consent) were compared to a control group of married mothers out of the same sample (N = 278). Socioeconomic status, social network and psychological distress of mothers (SCL-90-R) and children (CBCL) were investigated.

Results: Socioeconomic status (income, education) of single mothers was lower while psychological distress (SCL-90-R) was elevated compared to the control group. Single mothers without additional personal support for their child, younger, as well as poor single mothers showed higher values of psychological distress. In sons of single mothers, increased behavior problems were found (CBCL). Of all children screened, 907 (18 %) lived in single-parent families.

Conclusion: An increased psychological distress of single mothers and their sons could be shown for the first time in Germany within a large epidemiologic sample. This has implications for the planning of preventive interventions and evaluation of associations, e. g., between social variables and distress of single mothers and their children within longitudinal study designs.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-003-0605-8DOI Listing

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