Single-parent Family Structure Research Articles

Long-term effects of childhood single-parent family structure on brain connectivity and psychological well-being.

The high and increasing proportion of single-parent families is considered a risk factor associated with various childhood trauma experiences. Consequently, concerns have been raised regarding the potential long-term effects of the childhood single-parent family structure. In this study, we employed advanced magnetic resonance imaging technology, including morphometric similarity mapping, functional connectivity density, and network-based analysis, to investigate brain connectivity and behavioral differences among young adults who were raised in single-parent families. Our study also aimed to explore the relationship between these differences and childhood trauma experiences. The results showed that individuals who grew up in single-parent families exhibited higher levels of anxiety, depression, and harm-avoidant personality. The multimodal MRI analysis further showed differences in regional and network-based connectivity properties in the single-parent family group, including increased functional connectivity density in the left inferior parietal lobule, enhanced cortical structural connectivity between the left isthmus cingulate cortex and peri-calcarine cortex, and an increase in temporal functional connectivity. Moreover, elevated levels of anxiety and depression, along with heightened functional connectivity density in the left inferior parietal lobule and increased temporal functional connectivity, were found to be correlated with a greater number of childhood trauma experiences. Through analyzing multiple data patterns, our study provides objective neuropsychobiological evidence for the enduring impact of childhood single-parent family structure on psychiatric vulnerability in adulthood.

Experiences of single-parent children in the current Indian context

Single-parent family structure involves only one parent responsible for rearing the child and their welfare. Among all types of families, single-parent families can have difficult individual and social experiences, which may affect both single parents as well as their children. Therefore, the present paper attempts to capture some of the lived experiences and social perceptions of single-parent children qualitatively in the current Indian context. A qualitative research method was adopted in which data collection was done using semi-structured interviews followed by thematic analysis. The sample consisted of 11 college-going young adults residing in Delhi-NCR with their single mothers since the early years of their lives. The results indicate that single-parent children participants had mixed experiences where some individuals' experiences were challenging; at the same time, other experiences led to positive changes and self-growth during the course of their lives. Findings suggest varied experiences of single-parent children in the Indian context, where 82% of participants reported additional "responsibilities" and 54% reported careful "decision making" process; lower "sense of belongingness," "social stigma," and higher "resilience" were reflected in responses by the majority of the participants (91%), and lastly, 73% reported difficulty in "emotional regulation." Experiences of single-parent children can be both positive and negative. Strengths such as an increased sense of responsibility, decision-making, and resilience can be considered while dealing with the unique challenges faced by them.

An Intercategorical Ecology of Lead Exposure: Complex Environmental Health Vulnerabilities in the Flint Water Crisis.

In 2014, city and state officials channeled toxic water into Flint, Michigan and its unevenly distributed and corroding lead service lines (LSLs). The resulting Flint water crisis is a tragic example of environmental racism against a majority Black city and enduring racial and spatial disparities in environmental lead exposures in the United States. Important questions remain about how race intersected with other established environmental health vulnerabilities of gender and single-parent family structure to create unequal toxic exposures within Flint. We address this question with (1) an “intercategorical ecology” framework that extends the “racial ecology” lens into the complex spatial and demographic dimensions of environmental health vulnerabilities and (2) a multivariate analysis using block-level data from the 2010 U.S. decennial census and a key dataset estimating the LSL connections for 56,038 land parcels in Flint. We found that blocks exposed to LSLs had, on average, higher concentrations of single-parent white, Black, and Latinx families. However, logistic regression results indicate that the likelihood of block exposure to LSLs was most consistently and positively associated with the percentage of single-father Black and single-mother Latina families, net of other racialized and gendered single-parent family structures, socioeconomic status, and the spatial concentration of LSL exposure.

Investigation of Relationship Between Levels of Self-Efficacy and Self-Care in Middle School Adolescents in Turkey

: In this research it is aimed to investigate the relationship between the self-efficacy and self-care levels in adolescents which are aged between 11 - 15 years old. For this purpose, the socio-demographic characteristics of the students are utilized including, age, grade, gender, longest residence, family type, current residence location, family structure, academic success status, income-outcome balance, chronic diseases, education level of mother, education level of father, mother profession, father profession of students. Accordingly, the most known scales namely general self-efficacy scale and self-care agency scale were considered to investigate related characteristics of adolescents from Mersin Province of Turkey. It is implied from results that there is a significant relationship between the self-efficacy scale scores with the academic success status, family type and family structure characteristics of these adolescents. As well, there existed a significant relationship between the mean scores of the self-care scale with the age, grade, education level of their mothers, economic status of their families, academic success status and their family types. Based on the results, especially in the case of the single-parent type family structures, conducting a democratic family discipline and academic success status of students lead to increase in the self-efficacy belief of adolescents. In the similar way, the education level of mothers, economic status of the families, achieved high academic success and holding a democratic family discipline resulted in the high self-care agency level of the adolescents. Additionally, as the self-efficacy level of the adolescents increased, the self-care agency level of the adolescents may be increased additionally.

Discrepancy in perceived social support and related factors among Chinese college students with and without siblings

BackgroundWhether there is a difference in perceived social support (PSS) and related factors among college students from one- and multiple-child families was unclear. MethodsWe conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study between October 2017 and February 2018, randomly selected college students with siblings (n=5875; aged 19.41±1.99 years) and their counterparts without siblings (n=5175; aged 19.88±2.38 years), and then conducted an online questionnaire survey via a multi-stage cluster random sampling method. We applied the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) to evaluate PSS among college students. The multivariable logistic regression models were used to predict factors associated with low perceived social support in two student groups. ResultsOur study found that there was a statistical difference of PSS between the sibling groups. Sex, single-parent family, irregular daily routine, prevalence of diseases or injuries and psychological distress were significantly associated with low PSS in both college students with and without siblings. Compared with single-child college students, single-parent family structure was associated with a higher odds ratio for low PSS in college students with siblings (ratio of odds ratio: 0.71, 95% confidential interval: 0.53–0.97). LimitationsOur study was a cross-sectional study design, and all participants in current study were from Wuhan city, Hubei Province. Hence, the sample is not representative of other regions in China. ConclusionsAlthough a statistical difference of PSS between the sibling groups was found in our study, single-parent family structure was more strongly associated with low PSS in multiple-child students compared with single-child students.

Helicopter Parenting and the Moderating Impact of Gender and Single-Parent Family Structure on Self-Efficacy and Well-Being

The intersection of helicopter parenting, gender, and single-parent family on self-efficacy and well-being is examined. Existing research on helicopter parenting focuses on negative consequences. Using a sample of students at a university in the mid-southern United States ( N = 247), we find that helicopter parenting is negatively related to self-efficacy and well-being for emerging adult sons from single-parent family backgrounds. Previous research suggests a negative relationship of divorce on sons. In addition, our study finds no substantive relationship of helicopter parenting to self-efficacy and well-being for women. This is an intriguing finding given previous research finding negative consequences. The impacts of helicopter parenting are not uniform across different demographic groups. This information is important for family counselors as well as university administrators in relation to the growing concern for parental involvement in students’ affairs.

Household composition and maltreatment allegations in the US: Deconstructing the at-risk single mother family

BackgroundPrevious research has demonstrated the association between child maltreatment and household composition, with increased maltreatment risk generally present in single mother households. However, existing research does not fully examine the complexity and configuration of single mother households. In particular, less is known about important variants of single parent family structures, such as grandparents residing in the home, and the extent to which household compositions change across time. ObjectiveThe present study examines rates of maltreatment allegations across various household compositions in a sample of single biological mother households. Participants and Setting: Youth participants (N = 417) were part of the larger multi-site Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) study. MethodsParticipants completed longitudinal assessments of household composition and maltreatment allegations from ages 4 to 10. Results: The present study illustrates substantial variability in the rate of maltreatment allegations across different types of single mother household compositions. In particular, the presence of non-relatives, especially unrelated males, demonstrated an increased risk for maltreatment allegations in the home. Conversely, single mother homes with two or more adult relatives, especially grandmothers, were at reduced risk for child maltreatment allegations. ConclusionsThis study highlights variability in maltreatment allegations among single mother homes, including how maltreatment allegations vary across different household configurations, across child age periods and across different risk levels.

Single and Cohabiting Parent Family Systems: The New ‘Normal’ Family Structures?

Single-parenthood and cohabitation are becoming ‘trendy’ family structures in many African societies. Guided by the structural functionalism approach, types of family structures and the influence of globalisation on the African family structure were discussed. Secondary data from Demographic Health Surveys conducted in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda, as well as World Family Map and various studies from sub-Saharan African countries were also used to examine the prevalence of the married-couple, cohabiting-couple, and single-parent family structures, and the findings presented descriptively. Results show that single-parenthood is most common in South Africa and married-couple family structure is popular in Nigeria and Ghana whereas marriage, single-parenthood, and cohabitation recorded a comparable level of popularity in Uganda. In the study, it was discovered that cohabitation and single-parenthood have lost some stigma in many African societies and are becoming common and socially acceptable, especially among educated citizens and in Christian dominated countries on the continent. Society, governmental and non-governmental agencies, education and religious institutions, as well as clinical and social services, should be attuned to the currently diverse new ‘normal’ family systems.

Single Parent Family Structure as a Predictor of Alcohol Use among Secondary School Students: Evidence from Jamaica

The aim of this study was to examine the potential relationship between Jamaican secondary students’ alcohol drinking habits and their family structure. Methods: Data collected from a nationally representative survey of 3,365 students were analysed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Results: Out of the 3,365 students, 1,044 (31.0%) were from single-parent families. Single-parent families, married-parent families and common law-parent families were significantly associated with lifetime use of alcohol (AOR= 1.72, 95% CI= 1.06 - 2.79; AOR= 1.73, 95% CI= 1.07- 2.81, AOR= 1.94, 95%CI= 1.17- 3.21 respectively). However, family structure was not significantly associated with past year and past month alcohol use. Students whose parents “sometimes” knew their whereabouts were significantly less likely to use alcohol in their lifetime compared to students whose parents “Always” knew where the students were. Conclusion: Family structure is an independent predictor of alcohol use among high school students in Jamaica. Being from single-parent families, married-parent and common- law parent families were significantly associated with increased likelihood for lifetime alcohol use.

Mental health status of unmarried youth living in single parent families: a case study from India

Background: In South Asian countries like India, family system lays a strong foundation in societies and therefore, the context and consequences of single parent family structures are markedly different from that of the West. In these societies single parenthood is mainly an outcome of untimely death of any one of the parents.Aims: This study tried to examine the influence of parents’ survival status on the mental health of youth in India.Methods: “Youth in India: situation and Needs (2006–2007)” survey data was used in the present study. We compared two groups of unmarried young population aged 15–24 y (n = 28 637): one having both parents alive and another having only one parent alive. Bivariate and multivariate techniques were applied to analyze the data.Results: Results revealed that around 11% of the unmarried youth belonged to single parent families. Findings underscored a significant association between parent’s survival and mental health of youth; respondents from single parent families were more likely to report metal health problems Moreover, effects of parents’ survival were significant on females’ mental health rather than males’.Conclusion: Policies must focus on reducing stress of young people growing up in single parent families through enhanced educational and employment opportunities.

Childhood Overweight and Obesity: Maternal and Family Factors

Treatment programs for childhood overweight and obesity have highlighted the importance of the family in treatment. Considering this, it is surprising that few studies have examined the role of family factors in the development of childhood overweight and obesity. The objective of this study was to examine which family and maternal factors predict increases in weight in boys and girls during middle to late childhood. This study used longitudinal data from the childhood growth and development (GAD) Study. The GAD Study involved 286 healthy weight, overweight and obese children, aged 6–13 years at baseline, who completed baseline, 1-year follow-up and 2-year follow-up assessments. Overweight/obese children were recruited from clinical and community settings. A broad range of maternal and family factors were assessed. Linear mixed models were used to identify which factors predicted child Body Mass Index (BMI) z-scores over time. For community-based children, maternal BMI and single-parent family structure were significant longitudinal predictors of child BMI z-scores. For the clinical participants, low family income was the only significant multivariate predictor of child BMI z-scores. The strong association between child BMI, maternal BMI and family structure confirms the need to target prevention and intervention efforts for childhood overweight and obesity towards families with overweight parents, particularly single-parent families.

Analysis of Family Structure Influence on Academic Performance Among Secondary School Students in Bungoma East Sub-County, Kenya

A family is a fundamental unit in society. However, the structure of a family has been changing from the traditional family structure comprising of parents and their children to other forms of family structures that provides alternative dependence system. The emerging family structures may have an influence on academic performance in secondary schools’ as students depend on the family emotional and material support. This study examined the influence of family structure influence on students’ academic performance within Bungoma East Sub-County. The study objectives were to examine the Nuclear family structure influence on academic performance of students’ public secondary schools in Bungoma East Sub-County; to examine the Single parent family structure influence on academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Bungoma East Sub-County. This study was guided by Bronfenbronner’s principles of ecological theory of child on child development, a risk and protective model. Descriptive research design and mixed methodology was used to determine the extent to which variation in family structure and school setting influences students’ academic performance. A sample size of 323 respondents was used in the study and a response rate of 95.7% was achieved. The questionnaire and interview schedule provided data that was analysed and presented findings through frequency tables, pie-charts, bar charts and others. Inferential statistics was used to analyse and ascertain relationship between family structure and academic performance. A regression analysis between family structure background and academic performance was performed and a Pearson Correlation test done to reveal significant correlation between the variables. The findings of this study revealed that good performance of learner with nuclear family was due to economic support, family support, parental motivation and home study environment. Nuclear family background positively influenced academic performance of student and it significantly accounted 16.7% variance in student performance. Single parent family background attributed good performance of learners with small percentage as shown by 92(30%). Single parent family background negatively influenced academic performance of student and it significantly explained 1.6% variance in student performance. Policy makers should always take the subjective views of their wards into consideration in order to avert the problem of single parenthood, step parenthood and grandparenthood in the society. By doing so, the increase in nuclear family parenthood will provide socio-economic support and motivation needed for students to perform well in their academics. Boarding schools setup will reduce the parenting influence.

The Effect of Physical and Environmental Factors of a “Child Development Center” on a Center’s Selection

The role of education is a key factor for an individual’s development. After the 1980s the findings of educational research has shown that preschool age is a very important period in one’s development. The single parent family structure and an increase in the number of working mothers have required children to attend schools in “child development centers” (CDC). Preschool education is becoming important in the new millennium because a child’s personality, emotions, cognitive and social abilities develop during the first five years. The purpose of this study is to investigate the reasons for selecting CDCs by parents and children by focusing on physical and environmental factors. The sample was a diverse group of 95 parents and instructors who use CDCs at two different locations in Turkey. The instrument used in the study was a self-designed standardized questionnaire. The results should enlighten later CDC design studies, and give support for architects who design preschool education centers. The study may be used for educational, governmental and advertising purposes to contribute to changing the negative situation of poorly designed centers.

Single-parent family structure and sleep problems in black and white adolescents

ObjectivesSleep is critical for adolescent health and is influenced by the family environment. In our study, we examined if family structure defined as single- vs two-parent households affected adolescent sleep. MethodsParticipants were 242 (57% black; 47% boys) healthy adolescents (mean age, 15.7years). Sleep was measured using self-report and wrist actigraphy over seven consecutive nights. Outcomes were actigraphy-assessed sleep duration and sleep efficiency (SE) for the full week and weekends and weekdays separately, as well as self-reported sleep–wake problems and variability in bedtimes. Linear regression examined the relationship between family structure and sleep, after adjusting for age, sex, race, body mass index, and depressive symptoms, parental education, family conflict, and financial strain. Race and sex were examined as potential moderators. ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates, adolescents from single-parent households had poorer SE across the week and shorter sleep duration on weekends. White adolescents from two-parent households had fewer sleep–wake problems and lower bedtime variability, whereas black adolescents from single-parent households had the lowest weekend SE. There were no significant differences in family structure–sex interactions. ConclusionOur findings are the first to demonstrate that single-parent family structure is an independent correlate of sleep problems in adolescents and they highlight the moderating role of race.

Uptake and effects of a new sport program at a school in a disadvantaged locality

Introduction: On any day, ∼55% of 11–13-year-olds play some kind of sport. However, recent research has shown that there are demographic effects on the activity patterns of children, with youth from lower socio-economic and single-parent family structures less likely to participate. This study investigated the uptake by 11–12 year olds in a disadvantaged locality of a new sport involving a modified, low-risk form of boxing (Box’Tag), and assessed the outcomes of their involvement.

Single-parent Family Structure, Psychological, Social and Cognitive Development of Children in Ekiti State

The study investigated the prevalence and influence of single parenthood on school children. It also investigated the influence of single parenthood on children emotional, intellectual development and sex role. 1,500 respondents were selected using simple and purposive sampling techniques. A self designed instrument titled Family Structure and Child Development Inventory (FSCDI) was used for collection of data. The instrument was validated by experts in Counseling Psychology. The test-retest reliability of the instrument was ensured using Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was 0.76 and found significant at 0.05 level The other instrument used for collection of data was the Psychosocial and Cognitive Development Scale (PCDS) which is a measure for the assessment of psychogical social and cognitive development of children validated by test experts. The scale gives a score for each dimension and also a Total Development Score in a rating scale format from 1=lower development to 6=higher development. For the purpose of this study, it was only assessed the Total Development Score. It was found out that single parent family affected emotional and intellectual development of children. It was also found out that single parenthood influences sex roles of the respondents. It was recommended that couples should not consider divorce as solution to ripples in marriages. Parents should enhance harmony of their marriages to enhance social and cognitive well being of their children.

Family Structure and the Intergenerational Transmission of Gender Ideology

Using data from the National Survey of Families and Households, this study explores how single-parent, stepparent, and two-parent biological family structures may affect the transmission of gender ideology from parents to their adult children. Results indicate that biological parents’ ideologies are strong predictors of their children’s ideologies. Stepparents’ ideologies are predictive of their stepchildren’s only when they have high-quality relationships. Parent—child gender heterogeneity, performance of traditional parenting roles, and relationship quality are related to high similarity scores. The authors find evidence of converging ideologies between mothers and sons and diverging ideologies for fathers and daughters—especially in stepfamilies. Finally, their results suggest that high-quality relations with a stepparent enhance transmission between same-sex biological parent—child dyads but high-quality relations with a spouse in two-parent biological families produce a competing role-model dynamic.

Psychosocial Issues in Children and Adolescents With HIV Infection Evaluated With a World Health Organization Age-Specific Descriptor System

After active antiretroviral therapy, children with HIV are clinically well, whereas psychosocial issues continue to influence their quality of life. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) of the World Health Organization evaluates health status and environmental and social factors associated with health. We investigated the efficacy of the ICF to describe the health status and needs of a cohort of children and adolescents with HIV seen at a reference center for pediatric AIDS in Europe. A quantitative analysis of structured interviews was performed. Caregivers of children and adolescents with HIV infection in follow-up at 2 reference centers for pediatric AIDS were enrolled. Four major areas included in the ICF instrument were investigated: impairments of body structures; impairments of body functions; environmental factors; and activity limitations and restrictions to social life. Forty-one families of children with HIV were enrolled. Body structures and functions were marginally impaired, whereas environmental factors and psychosocial issues had a relevant impact on quality of life. Most families considered environmental factors to be "barriers"; these were poverty, unemployment, and single-parent family structure. Activity limitations and social restrictions were also reported in a few cases. Almost all parents reported problems in disclosing their child's HIV status because of the fear of social stigma. Psychosocial issues are part of the well-being of children with HIV. The ICF is a standard tool to evaluate the clinical and psychosocial status of children and adolescents with HIV infection and to measure the impact of therapeutic interventions and strategies on psychosocial functioning.

Moving to Place: Childhood Cancer Treatment Decision Making in Single-Parent and Repartnered Family Structures

Few researchers have studied how parents from diverse family structures cope with childhood chronic illness. We designed this study to discern the childhood cancer treatment decision-making (TDM) process in these families. Using grounded theory, we interviewed 15 custodial parents, nonresidential parents, and stepparents who had previously made a major treatment decision for their children with cancer. "Moving to place" was the central psychosocial process by which parents negotiated involvement in TDM. Parents moved toward or were moved away from involvement based on parent position in the family (custodial, nonresidential, and stepparent), prediagnosis family dynamics, and time since diagnosis. Parents used the actions of stepping up, stepping back, being pushed, and stepping away to respond to the need for TDM. Parents faced additional stressors because of their family situations, which affected the TDM process. Findings from this study provide important insight into diverse families and their unique parental TDM experiences.

What Adolescents Bring to and Learn from Relationship Education Classes: Does Social Address Matter?

The current study examined the effectiveness of a youth-focused relationship education curriculum in a sample of 1,430 adolescents attending health classes across 39 public high schools. The evaluation consisted of pre, post, and 1-year follow-up data collections for intervention and control samples. Growth curve models were fit to test the general effects of the curriculum and to examine the influence of social address indicators. Results indicated that the intervention group, but not the control group, changed in the desired direction in terms of the faulty relationship beliefs and the relationship skills that were the focus of this study. Desired improvements on the faulty relationship beliefs occurred independent of social address, but desired improvements in conflict management skills appeared only for the less socially or economically advantaged groups (e.g., lower socioeconomic status and minority status). Participants living in stepfamilies also significantly improved their perceived skills. Adolescents living in single-parent family structures appeared to benefit least from the program. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.