Single-parent Families Research Articles

Communication in the family and children’s deviant behavior in single parent families

Single parent families are form of incomplete family, where one parent is fully responsible for the education and character building of the child. This role vacancy often triggers deviant behavior in children. This study aims to explain communication and children’s deviant behavior in single parent families. This research uses literature study research method with social deviation theory by Edwin H. Sutherland. There are several research results obtained from this study. First, the communication established in single parent families has not been effective. Second, the factors that cause children’s deviant behavior in single parent families are caused by two things, namely disappointment with the situation in the family and the environment of peers who tend to behave deviantly. Third, the role of communication in preventing children’s deviant behavior in single parent families is a major foundation in preventing children’s deviant behavior. This study concludes that authoritative communication is the most appropriate application in single parent families to overcome communication problems in the family. Apart from that, good communication can have a significant impact on parents’ relationships to be able to control and supervise children to prevent deviant behavior.

The Relationship of Food Insecurity and Mental Health in Single-Parent Households: A Literature Review

The Relationship of Food Insecurity and Mental Health in Single-Parent Households: A Literature Review

Caregivers of Children with Special Healthcare Needs: A Quantitative Examination of Work-Family Culture, Caregiver Burden, and Work-Life Balance

The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationships between organizational work-family culture, caregiver burden, and work-life balance among employed caregivers of children with special healthcare needs. The potential moderating role of organizational work-family culture in the relationship between caregiver burden and work-life balance was also investigated. Using convenience sampling, data were collected from 150 primary caregivers who work or recently worked in the past three months and have at least one child with a special healthcare need. Participants completed an online survey. Findings revealed increasing caregiver burden was related to lower work-life balance, while organizational work-family culture was positively related to it. Organizational work-family culture, and two of its three facets (i.e., managerial support and time demands), were significant moderators, but only before COVID-19. Future researchers could focus on underrepresented groups and communities, examine organizational work-family culture in various industries, and improve work-life balance during social and economic downturns. With increases in dual earner and single parent households, employers should consider how their culture supports employees with households with a child with special healthcare needs. This is the first study to apply organizational work-family culture to employed caregivers with a child with special healthcare needs and test it as a moderator of the relationship between caregiver burden and work-life balance.

334 Resident Salary Compared to Living Wages at US Training Institutions

INTRODUCTION: Resident physician salaries vary by region, though it is unknown how these variations compare to differences in living wages across the United States or what factors drive residency salary discrepancies. METHODS: Publicly available resident salary information was obtained from full-service training centers containing a neurosurgical residency program via institution-specific websites in February 2023 with information on post-graduate year (PGY)-1 through PGY-7 resident compensation for 2022-2023. Living wage calculations by city were generated via the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Living-Wage Calculator. Resident salary to living-wage ratios were calculated using PGY-4 salary for each family composition living-wage. Univariate and multivariable analysis of PGY-4 resident salary on affordability was performed, accounting for proportion of expected living wages to taxes, transportation, housing, medical costs, childcare, and food as well as unionization and state income-tax status. RESULTS: 118 neurosurgery residency programs were included, 21 (17.9%) of which were unionized. Residents without children earned a salary greater than living-wage during all years, while single-parent families were unable to earn a living-wage until PGY-7. Residents with 1 child in in 2-adult (single-income) and 2-adult (double-income) families were unable to earn a living-wage until PGY-5 and PGY-3 respectively. Residents with more than 1 child failed to earn a living-wage. Multivariate regression analysis using PGY-4 salary:living-wage ratios in single-child, 2-parent homes showed food expenses and unionization status were always significant. On multivariate regression, unionization was significantly associated with lower living-wage ratios pre-stipend, improved post-stipend, and was again significantly lower after factoring in union dues. CONCLUSIONS: Current resident salaries often preclude a resident from earning a living-wage, especially among junior residents and those with children. Unionization is significantly associated with lower resident income to living-wage ratios.

Identifying the main determinants that have an impact on the level of vaccination among children

Background. Thanks to vaccinations, many infections, including whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, hemophilic infection, pneumococcal infection, meningococcal infection, rotavirus infection, chicken pox, hepatitis A, papillomavirus infection, etc., can be prevented. According to the WHO research, it was established that if the level of vaccination coverage of the country's population drops by several percents, it creates favorable conditions for the spread of infectious diseases, that the lower the collective immunity, the higher the probability of outbreaks and epidemics. The Aim. Тo study and analyze the impact of risk factors on reducing the level of vaccine prophylaxis in the childhood population. Materials and Methods. This study was conducted using the questionnaire method, for which a questionnaire was developed. Group 1 consisted of 280 children who received a vaccination and group 2 consisted of 180 children who were not vaccinated. The parents of these children were interviewed using the author's questionnaire and gave their consent to use the medical data of the children for scientific research. Non-parametric statistical analysis for two independent sample populations was used to compare median values Mann-Whitney test. Fisher's test was used to compare proportions. Results. During the study, it was found that the most frequent reasons for parents' refusal to vaccinate their children were: religious views of family members 2.4 times increase the risk of non-vaccination in children; in single-parent families where the parents are divorced, children did not receive any vaccination 2.6 times more than in full-parent families; unfinished average of 35.7 times and lack of education 24.1 times increase the impact on the lack of vaccination in children. Conclusions. We identified the following risk factors that influence the vaccination rate, namely: demographic, socio-economic, biological and socio-psychological. Keywords: vaccine prevention, statistics, infectious diseases, risk factors.

The psychosocial impact on single mothers' well-being - A literature review.

In India, single-parent families are proliferating. In particular, women are taking the lead in assuming the role. They are the most vulnerable of all the disadvantaged groups. Due to an absence of financial and social support, single mothers endure a great deal of emotional strain. So, the aim of the study is to investigate the various psychosocial factors that influence the well-being of single mothers. Additionally, this research seeks to assess the coping strategies employed by single mothers. This article reviews 80 studies on psychosocial concerns faced by single mothers, focusing on mental health, challenges, and social support. It cites 71 publications from 80 sources from Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, between 1980 and 2023. The study used keywords as a search strategy such as "single mother," "mental health," "challenges," and "social support." The results showed that the absence of financial resources, education, and social support had a negative impact on the emotional and social well-being of single mothers. Children of single mothers are more likely to struggle with addictions like alcoholism, tobacco use, delinquency, hazardous sexual behavior, and even suicidal thoughts due to dysfunctional parenting. As a result, single mothers use their religious convictions, support networks, and social networks as coping mechanisms. The study implies that premarital counseling and health education are essential for young couples to prevent family disintegration in the event of divorce and separation. To provide assistance and improve the overall quality of life for this vulnerable population, collaboration between government and nongovernment organizations is necessary.

Perceived Parenting Styles in Relation with Coping Strategies among the Children of Single Parents in Pakistan

Background: The dynamics within single-parent families, particularly the influence of parenting styles on the coping strategies of children, have garnered significant attention in psychological research. The intricate relationship between a parent's approach to raising their child and the child's subsequent development of coping mechanisms to navigate life's challenges is pivotal to understanding the psychosocial well-being of children in single-parent families. Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the correlations between different parenting styles—permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative—and the coping strategies adopted by children of single parents. Additionally, it sought to identify which parenting styles significantly predict the coping strategies utilized by these children. Methods: A correlational and comparative study design was employed, involving 153 adolescents aged 13 to 19 from single-parent families in Faisalabad and Sargodha, Pakistan. The Coping Response Inventory (CRI) and Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ) were utilized to measure coping strategies and parenting styles, respectively. Data analysis was conducted using Pearson’s moment correlation, regression analysis, and Independent Samples T-Test to examine the relationships between parenting styles and coping strategies and to assess gender differences. Results: The findings indicated a significant positive correlation between permissive and authoritarian parenting styles (r ranging from .439 to .787, p < .01). Regression analysis revealed that logical analysis, positive reappraisal, and problem-solving were significant predictors of coping strategies (p < .001). Gender-based analysis showed females scored significantly higher in positive reappraisal, seeking guidance/support, acceptance/resignation, and emotional discharge coping strategies compared to males (p < .005). No significant gender differences were found in parenting styles. Conclusion: The study highlights the significant impact of permissive and authoritarian parenting styles on the development of coping strategies among children of single parents. Tailored interventions supporting single parents in adopting more adaptive parenting styles could foster better coping mechanisms in their children, enhancing their psychosocial well-being.

Associations between dietary behaviours and the mental and physical well-being of Swedish adolescents

AimsThis study aims to investigate the association between dietary behaviours, overweight/obesity, and mental health and well-being among Swedish adolescents.MethodsData from the 2017/2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey of 3692 adolescents aged ≈11, ≈13, and ≈15 years was analysed. We evaluated the prevalence and association of dietary behaviours, characterised by daily intake of fruits and vegetables, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and sweets once per week, and daily consumption of family meals and breakfast, with socioeconomic and demographic factors. Multivariate logistic regression models (adjusted and unadjusted) were then used to examine the relationship between dietary behaviours, overweight/obesity, and mental health and well-being including psychosomatic complaints, life satisfaction, and school-related pressure.ResultsBoys were more likely to eat breakfast and have meals together with their family than girls, but their fruit and vegetable intake was lower compared to girls. Adolescents with lower socioeconomic status (low family affluence, families perceived ’not well-off’ and two unemployed parents), single-parent households and twoforeign born parents were more likely to engage in poorer dietary behaviours. Daily breakfast, family meals, fruit and vegetable intake were positively associated with mental health and well-being. Specifically, daily family meals were linked to higher life satisfaction, fewer psychosomatic complaints, and reduced school-related pressure. Breakfast emerged as a beneficial dietary habit, associated with higher life satisfaction, and a lower likelihood of psychosomatic complaints, school-related pressure, and overweight/obesity. Fruit and vegetable consumption was consistently associated with better mental health and well-being while associations between SSBs and sweets were mixed.ConclusionsImproving mental health and well-being, along with tackling the rising rates of mental illness and challenges related to overweight/obesity in adolescents constitute key public health priorities. Implementing policies that promote the intake of fruits and vegetables, reducing the consumption of SSBs and sweets, and emphasizing the value of having breakfast and sharing family meals could offer a cost-effective public health intervention.

Assessing Factors That Contribute to Low Incomes (As Evident in the Leningrad Region)

The article analyzes factors that increase the risk that a household will fall into poverty. The analysis is based on a representative survey of households in the Leningrad Region of Russia. The survey was carried out in during August and September 2022. The method for collecting sociological information was a standardized interview conducted in person at the respondents’ place of residence. The core sample size was 1,200 households, and an additional sample of 400 low-income households was also canvassed. Regression results indicate higher than average risk of poverty for families with children, especially for families with several children and/or families with children of pre-school age; families in which no one is employed; and families that reside in rural localities. Families with a student in a secondary school for vocational education and single-parent families with children in the household have a significantly higher probability of being classified as low-income. The article maintains that poverty prevention measures would be better targeted if the household poverty threshold were adjusted in response to family composition, including the number of children and their age. Means testing should also take into account not only the mere possession of different types of assets but also their estimated market value. That change would make means testing a more reliable criterion of a family’s need for social support

The Role of Family Structure in Juvenile Delinquency

Purpose: The general purpose of the study was to explore the role of family structure and juvenile diplomacy. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to family structure in juvenile diplomacy. Preliminary empirical review revealed that that family structure significantly influences adolescent engagement in delinquent behaviors, with adolescents from single-parent households or non-traditional family arrangements exhibiting higher rates of delinquency. Research highlighted the mediating role of factors such as parental supervision and positive peer relationships, along with cultural variations in this relationship. Qualitative insights underscored the unique challenges faced by adolescents from non-traditional family structures, emphasizing the importance of tailored support. Overall, the findings underscored the need for context-specific interventions and policies to address juvenile delinquency, informed by a comprehensive understanding of family dynamics and socio-cultural factors. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social Learning theory, Strain theory and Social Control theory may be used to anchor future studies on the role of family structure in juvenile delinquency. The study provided recommendations with significant contributions to theory, practice, and policy. It advanced theoretical understanding by highlighting the complex interplay between family dynamics and delinquent behavior, contributing empirical support for existing theoretical models. The study recommended the development of family-centered interventions to strengthen parental supervision and support networks, promote positive peer relationships, and address systemic factors contributing to family stressors. Policy implications included initiatives to support family well-being, invest in evidence-based programs, and integrate findings into broader social policies. Collaboration across sectors was emphasized to implement comprehensive approaches, and the need for continued research to deepen understanding and inform targeted interventions was underscored.

Parental risk factors and children entering out-of-home care: The effects of cumulative risk and parent’s sex

BackgroundParental difficulties, including mental ill health, substance misuse, domestic violence and learning disability have been associated with children entering out-of-home care. There is also evidence that these issues may co-occur within families. Understanding how the co-occurrence of these difficulties is associated with care entry is complex because they may co-occur in the same or different household members and have different impacts on the likelihood of care entry when they occur in mothers, fathers or in single parent households. MethodAdministrative data from local authority children’s services in Wales were linked with demographic data to identify households in which children lived prior to entering care. Linkage to birth data identified biological mothers. Linkage with primary care, emergency department, hospital admissions and substance misuse services data enabled indicators of substance misuse, mental health, assaults in the home, learning disability and neurodivergence in the adults in those households to be identified. A series of multilevel binary logistic regression models were used to explore the odds of a household having one or more children entering care if risk factors were present. These considered the effects of individual risks, and cumulative risk both in individual adults in the household, and across the whole household. The effects of the number of adults, having adults with no risks and the differential impacts of risks in biological mothers, other women or men were also explored. Additional models explored these factors in single adult households. ResultsCumulative risks increased the likelihood of care entry, however this effect disappeared when individual risks were controlled for. The presence of an individual with no risks in the household acted as a protective factor. Overall, the impact of the risks on the odds of care entry was substantially greater if the risks were present in the biological mother than if they occurred in other adults (men or women) in the household. In single adult households risk factors had a much greater impact when they occurred in households headed by women as opposed to men. ConclusionSubstantial differences in the effects of risk factors in female and male adults are apparent and further research is needed to understand why this is occurring to ensure that parents are treated equally in terms of support and statutory intervention regardless of their sex.11Throughout this paper we refer to the “sex” of the parents /adults in households, as opposed to their “gender.” This is because in the analysis we carried out the sex of these individuals was determined by their GP records. We have chosen to use the term “sex,” rather than “gender,” as we believe this data is more likely to reflect their biological sex, rather the gender that the individuals identify as.

Food insecurity in children with heart disease.

This review discusses the epidemiology of food insecurity (FI) and its consequences in children with congenital heart disease. We aimed to highlight current interventions to screen and address food insecurity in the context of pediatric cardiology and to offer strategies for providers to engage in this meaningful work. Food insecurity is consistently associated with poor health outcomes in children. In the United States, 17.3% of households with children experience FI. Nonwhite and single-parent families are disproportionately affected. Interestingly, because of a low-quality diet, FI is associated with childhood obesity, putting affected children at increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality over time. Children with congenital heart disease are susceptible to poor outcomes due to unique altered metabolic demands, increased risk for growth impairment, frequent need for specialized feeding regimens, and additional morbidity associated with heart surgery in underweight children. Today, the burden of screening for FI is most commonly placed on general pediatricians. Considering the importance of nutrition to cardiovascular health and general wellbeing, and the ease with which screening can be performed, pediatric cardiologists and other subspecialists should take a more active role in FI screening.

A retrospective cohort study analyzing the changes in early childhood development during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectiveTo investigate early childhood development (ECD) outcomes in different subgroups before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study designA retrospective cohort study of children 3–58 months of age whose caregivers completed a Survey of Well-being of Young Children (SWYC) as part of a well child visit (WCC). The data were divided into two phases: pre-pandemic (September 2018 – February 2020), and during pandemic (September 2020 – February 2022). The difference in the proportion of forms with Meets Expectations interpreted scores on the SWYC Developmental Milestones pre-pandemic versus during the pandemic timeframe overall and among subgroups were reported. Hypotheses were tested using logistic regression with repeated measures. Results14,550 patients were included in the sample for analysis with 52,558 SWYC form observations. There was no difference in the odds of a Meets Expectations interpreted score before and after the pandemic for the entire sample, OR 0.99 (95 % CI: 0.94–1.04). There was evidence of decreased odds of an interpreted score of Meets Expectations for the following subgroups: male, Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, ages of 24, 30 or 36 months at WCC, Medicaid insurance, 2nd HOUSES Quartile, requiring interpreter, single parent household, young maternal age, maternal substance abuse, and race identified as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Native Alaskan or Other. ConclusionDecreased odds of meeting developmental milestones during the pandemic were evident in certain high risk sub-groups revealing unequal distribution of suboptimal developmental outcomes within our population during the pandemic that may be exacerbating existing inequities impacting development in children.

Family structure transitions and educational outcomes: Explaining heterogeneity by parental education in Germany

Recent research has documented that the effect of parental separation on children’s educational outcomes depends on socioeconomic background. Yet, parental separation could lead to a stable single-parent family or to a further transition to a stepfamily. Little is known about how the effect of family structure transitions on educational outcomes depends on the education of parents and stepparents, and there has been limited empirical research into the mechanisms that explain heterogeneity in the effects of family transitions. Using longitudinal data from the German Socio-Economic Panel and models with entropy balancing and sibling fixed effects, I explore the heterogeneous effects of family transitions during early and middle childhood on academic secondary school track attendance, grades and aspirations. I find that family transitions only reduce the academic school track attendance among children of less educated parents living in stepfamilies or with a single mother after parental separation, and among children of highly educated fathers living in single-mother families. The mechanisms that partly explain these effects relate to reduced income and exposure to poverty after parental separation. The findings underscore the importance of considering the stepparent's educational level, indicating that the adverse consequences of parental separation on educational outcomes are mitigated when a highly educated stepfather becomes part of the family. Overall, these findings align more closely with the resource perspective than the family stability perspective.

The effects of a universal income transfer on food insecurity within households

Abstract Using the public-use files of the Canadian Community Health Survey and a difference-in-differences methodology, we estimate the impact of a universal income transfer (the Universal Child Care Benefit) on food insecurity, separately for adults and children within households. The income transfer reduced the risk of overall food insecurity by 20% at the child level, and the effect was larger in households with lower education or income. The transfer also reduced the likelihood of moderate/severe food insecurity among adults in single-parent families, as well as adults and children in households with secondary education or less. These findings withstand several robustness checks.

The Prevalence and Correlates of Internet Addiction in India as Assessed by Young’s Internet Addiction Test: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Earlier research on internet addiction (IA) in the adult population in India has concentrated on isolated prevalence surveys conducted nationwide. A systematic grasp of pooled prevalence necessitates a meta-level evaluation of all prior literature. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of IA and its correlates among adults in India. Methods: We searched EBSCOhost, PubMed, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, and ProQuest for the studies published from 1990 to 2022 and included studies using Young’s Internet Addiction Test criteria (age range 18–40 years). The authors obtained a total of 358 non-duplicate records after a thorough search, and they found 10 pertinent epidemiological studies involving 12,286 adults. Results: The pooled prevalence for mild, moderate, severe, and any level of IA was 36.33% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.72%–42.13%), 18.04% (95% CI: 13.49%–23.08%), 0.88% (95% CI:0.50%–1.36%), and 58.34% (95% CI:49.34%–67.07%), respectively. The review of correlates suggested psychosocial factors like male gender, single-parent families, co-morbidities like depression, stress, anxiety, interpersonal issues, andmediating factors like loneliness. Conclusions: Based on the synthesis of findings, this review underlines the common factors of IA and emphasizes the significance of psycho-social factors in IA; thus, to promote healthy use of technology and to manage IA, a multi-modal psychotherapeutic intervention module for mental health practitioners needs to be developed in line with this review.

Counseling Strategies for the Traumatic Psychological Problems of Divorced Children

With the increasing number of divorced families in our country in recent years, the mental health problems of children from divorced families have received more and more attention. The divorce of parents makes it impossible for children to grow up healthily in a sound family environment, and their body and mind are very vulnerable to influence. In order to improve the mental health status of children from single-parent families, it is not only necessary for both parents to make efforts but also for schools and society to make efforts. Therefore, this paper mainly analyzes the status quo of children's mental health in divorced families and gives corresponding suggestions for improvement.

Intergenerational transmission of parental child-rearing gender-role attitudes and its influence on gender roles in single-parent families

BackgroundThe development of children’s gender roles in single-parent families is worthy of attention. It may be affected by family members’ gender roles and parental child-rearing gender-role attitudes (PCGA). PCGA will form a consistent or inconsistent intergenerational relationship between parents and children.ObjectiveThis study examined the intergenerational similarities in gender roles and PCGA. Also, the intergenerational transmission of parental child-rearing gender-role attitudes (ITPCGA) in single-parent families, and the impact of various family factors on children’s gender roles were comprehensively considered.MethodParticipants were 550 single-parent parent-adolescent dyads. The Gender-role Scale and the Parental Child-rearing Gender-role Attitude Scale were used to evaluate participants’ gender-role and PCGA. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the intergenerational similarities in gender roles and PCGA, and the influencing family factors of ITPCGA and children’s gender roles.ResultsThe intergenerational similarities of gender role types and PCGA types existed. Both parents’ gender roles and family gender pairs affected ITPCGA, father-daughter families and parents’ undifferentiated and sex-typed gender roles significantly predicted undesirable ITPCGA. Family gender pair, parent’s gender roles and ITPCGA types affected children’s gender roles. Undesirable ITPCGA significantly predicted children’s undifferentiated gender roles; father-daughter families and mother-son families, parents’ undifferentiated and sex-typed gender roles significantly predicted children’s sex-typed gender roles, and mother-son families and parents’ reversed gender roles significantly predicted children’s reversed gender role.ConclusionsThis study highlights the effects of single-parent family gender pairs and parents’ gender roles on ITPCGA, which influences the development of children’s gender roles.

Drugs during pregnancy in low-risk prenatal care and associated factors

Objective: To identify the prevalence of the use of legal and illicit drugs by pregnant women who received prenatal care in Primary Health Care and factors associated with their usage. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out using a structured script, composed of gestational sociodemographic variables and drug use by pregnant women and their families, applied to 270 women undergoing low-risk prenatal care at 15 Basic Health Units, in two municipalities in a metropolitan region of Southern Brazil, where there are negative socioeconomic and demographic differences in relation to the hub city. Data collection took place from December 2019 to February 2020. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test, with associations with a value of p<0.05 being considered significant. Results: Young people aged 25 to 35 accounted for 77% of the sample; brown/black were 60.4%; multigravidae accounted for 41.8% (with more than three children). 86.6% had a steady marital partner. The prevalence of current drug use was 46.2%. There was a statistically significant association between alcohol consumption and having had pregnancy complications (odds ratio of 2.5; confidence interval of 1.17-5.22); between marijuana consumption and the age of 15 to 19 years (odds ratio of 2.7; confidence interval of 1.01-7.03); between tobacco consumption and drug use by the husband (odds ratio of 4.1; confidence interval of 1.75-9.55) and between tobacco use and single-parent family classification (odds ratio of 6.6 ; confidence interval 1.55 - 28.43). Conclusion: The prevalence between current usage and lifetime use was high. The multipregnancies in women were undergoing low-risk prenatal care. Drug use, age, drug use by the husband and single-parent family classification were associated with gestational complications.

Socioeconomic inequalities in child and adolescent mental health in Australia: the role of parenting style and parents' relationships.

Socioeconomic inequalities in health and their determinants have been studied extensively over the past few decades. However, the role of parenting style and parents' couple relationships in explaining mental health inequalities is limited. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the distributional impact of parenting style (angry parenting, consistent parenting, and inductive parenting) and parents' couple relationships (e.g., argumentative, happy relationships) on socioeconomic inequalities and by extension on mental health status of Australian children and adolescents. This study utilized data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (Waves 1-7), specifically focusing on intact biological parent families, while excluding single-parent and blended-family households. We applied the decomposition index and the Blinder Oaxaca method to investigate the extent of the contribution and temporal impact of parenting style and parents' couple relationships on the mental health status of Australian children and adolescents. This study revealed that poor parenting style is the single most important factor that leads to developing mental health difficulties in children and adolescents, especially from low socioeconomic status, and it contributes almost 52% to socioeconomic inequalities in mental health status. Conversely, household income, maternal education, employment status, and parents' couple relationships contributed 28.04%, 10.67%, 9.28%, and 3.34%, respectively, to mental health inequalities in children and adolescents. Overall, this study underscores the importance of parenting style and parents' couple relationships as significant predictors of mental health outcomes in children and adolescents. These results highlight the need for targeted interventions to support families from low socioeconomic backgrounds to address the significant mental health inequalities observed in the study population.