Family structure in relation to health and disease: A review of the literature

Abstract

Family structure in relation to health and disease is reviewed. Par ental deprivation appears to be associated with some psychiatric and psychosomatic diseases such as suicide tuberculosis and accidents. A follow-up study of orphans is needed. The study of the relation of sibs hip size to health and disease has been relatively unproductive because of the multitude of interacting variables. The ratio of the number of eldest children to number of youngest children in a sample has proved to be a useful tool. Persons with duodenal ulcers have low ratios while persons eminent in intellectual pursuits people with asthma and patients with tuberculosis tend towards high ratios. That marital status has a marked relation to over-all mortality is most striking with respect to tuberculosis suicide and other violent deaths influenza and pneumonia syphilis and its sequelae and cirrhosis of the liver. The association between rheumatoid arthritis and termination of marriage with regard to morbidity is notable particularly for men. Methodologic problems are discussed.