Abstract
ObjectivesTo examine the extent to which inequities in mental health between single and partnered mothers can be explained by social capital, independently and in concert with socio-economic circumstances. Study designCross-sectional study. MethodsThe sample consisted of 2920 mothers participating in Statistics Canada's 2010 General Social Survey. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the extent to which family structure differences in self-rated mental health, if observed, were mediated by various dimensions of social capital. ResultsCompared with partnered mothers, fair/poor self-rated mental health was more common among previously married mothers (OR = 3.14; 95% CI 2.15–4.59) and never married mothers (OR = 3.01; 95% CI 1.95–4.65). After adjustment for socio-economic and social capital variables, the odds ratio between single mother family structure and fair/poor mental health decreased but remained significant (ORpreviously married = 1.90, 95% CI 1.22–2.98; ORnever married = 1.90, 95% CI 1.14–3.16). ConclusionSingle mothers' more limited access to economic and social capital resources partially explain their compromised self-rated mental health. Longitudinal research with multi-item measures of mental health is needed to corroborate these findings and extend their understanding of the relationship between family structure, social capital, and mothers' mental health.
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