Factors affecting the quality of life of single mothers compared to married mothers

Ga Eun Kim,Eui-Jung Kim

doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02586-0

Abstract

BackgroundIn this study, we aimed to compare the quality of life (QOL) of single mothers with that of married mothers and to identify the sociodemographic and psychological factors affecting single mothers’ QOL. We identified the factors that were similar and different between single and married mothers.MethodsWe analyzed survey data obtained from 195 single mothers and 357 married mothers living in an urban community in South Korea. The QOL was assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life-abbreviated form (WHOQOL-BREF). All participants completed the following self-report questionnaires: the Global Assessment of Recent Stress, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, the Scale for Suicide Ideation, the Korean version of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, and the WHOQOL-BREF. These self-rating scales were used as continuous variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the association of quality of life with the sociodemographic and psychological factors for single and married mothers.ResultsSingle mothers showed lower QOL than married mothers. Older age, high income and education level, and professional job status were positively correlated with the QOL of single mothers. Residential instability, higher stress levels, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and alcohol-related problems were negatively associated with the QOL of single mothers. Multiple regression analysis suggested that residential instability (public rental housing: β = − 10.779, p < 0.001; Jeonse rental housing: β = − 0.324, p = 0.01) and alcohol-related problems (β = − 0.522, p < 0.001) were independent factors affecting lower QOL, whereas professional job status (β = 8.452, p = 0.037) was independently associated with higher QOL in single mothers. However, these factors were not associated with the QOL of married mothers. Higher education level was independently associated with higher QOL in both groups (β = 3.149, p < 0.033 in single mothers, β = 12.052, p < 0.001 in married mothers).ConclusionsHigher education level was associated with higher QOL in both groups. Unlike in married mothers, type of residence and occupation (related to the economic level) had a significant impact on QOL in single mothers. Alcohol-related problems were significantly correlated to QOL in single mothers compared to married mothers.

Highlights

In this study, we aimed to compare the quality of life (QOL) of single mothers with that of married mothers and to identify the sociodemographic and psychological factors affecting single mothers’ QOL
86.7% single mothers worked outside the home, whereas only 33.9% married mothers worked outside the home (p < 0.001)
In the control group, 3.1% of households had an average monthly income of less than two million KRW, and 86.8% had an average monthly income of two million to five million KRW. These results indicate that single mothers more often have low income compared to married mothers (p < 0.001)

Summary

Introduction

We aimed to compare the quality of life (QOL) of single mothers with that of married mothers and to identify the sociodemographic and psychological factors affecting single mothers’ QOL. The increasing divorce and suicide rates eventually led to an increase in the proportion of single-parent families. Single mothers have poor physical and mental health status relative to parents living as couples [6, 7]. The survey reported that vulnerable single parents with low education and income levels were more likely to experience depressive symptoms and report worse subjective health conditions [8]. A recent review suggests that single mothers have lower health status levels than married mothers and that financial strain and lack of social support were associated with the differences in health status [6]. Another study found that unemployment, poverty, and lower education were associated with poor health in single mothers [7]. The single-parent status of families is mostly due to divorce, after which single parents often feel that they have failed in their lives and may struggle with perceived negative opinions of people around them [9]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion