Family Structure and Maternal Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-National Comparison of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States

Kirsten Rasmussen,Elizabeth K Sigler,Shana Pribesh,Jonathan A Jarvis,Sadie A Slighting,Mikaela J Dufur

doi:10.3390/socsci11020078

Kirsten Rasmussen, Elizabeth K Sigler + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11020078

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between family structure and maternal depressive symptoms (MDS) in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Family structures that involve transitions across life’s course, such as divorce, can alter access to resources and introduce new stressors into family systems. Using the stress process model, we examine the links between family structure, stress, resources, and MDS. Using nationally representative data from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States and cross-sectional models for each country, we find that family structure may influence MDS differently in the UK than it does in Australia or, especially, the US. Specifically, mothers in the UK who either enter or leave a marriage after the birth of their child experience increased levels of MDS compared with mothers who do not experience a similar transition. These findings demonstrate that the effects of family structure transitions across life’s course may vary according to the country context as well as to the mother’s access to resources and exposure to stress. Considering that the effects of family structure transitions are not universal, this indicates that greater attention should be paid to the country contexts families exist in and the effects that public policies and social safety nets can have on MDS.

Highlights

Published: 15 February 2022According to the World Health Organization (2017), depression affects about 6% of American adults each year, which is similar to the rates of depression in other developed, high-income nations
We model the cross-sectional relationships between family structures, stressors, resources, and the demographic variables for each country and conclude that the relationship between family structure and maternal mental health does vary across country, with family structure influencing maternal depressive symptoms quite differently in the UK than they do in Australia or the US
If we find that stress is increased in family structures that are associated with lost resources but ameliorated in family structures that bring additional physical and social resources into the family system, this will suggest a broad application of the stress process

Summary

Introduction

Published: 15 February 2022According to the World Health Organization (2017), depression affects about 6% of American adults each year, which is similar to the rates of depression in other developed, high-income nations. The literature on how maternal depression relates to child trajectories is robust, relatively few studies have examined the family mechanisms that contribute to maternal depression in the first place (Cooper et al 2009; Osborne et al 2012). Structure transitions such as marriage or divorce can be sources of stress and instability, and there is evidence that these changes can affect multiple parts of the family system, including children, in many ways

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