Psychological distress and living conditions among Japanese single-mothers with preschool-age children: An analysis of 2016 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions

Tsuguhiko Kato; Kenji Takehara; Maiko Suto; Makiko Sampei; Kevin Y Urayama

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.02.065

Psychological distress and living conditions among Japanese single-mothers with preschool-age children: An analysis of 2016 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions

J Affect Disord. 2021 May 1:286:142-148. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.02.065. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Authors

Tsuguhiko Kato¹, Kenji Takehara², Maiko Suto², Makiko Sampei³, Kevin Y Urayama⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan. Electronic address: kato-tg@ncchd.go.jp.
² Department of Health Policy, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan.
³ Department of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan.
⁴ Department of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan; Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke's International University, 3-6-2 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.

PMID: 33721741
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.02.065

Abstract

Background: The early life period provides a critical foundation for child health and development, and mothers exert great influence as primary caregivers. Previous studies have shown that single-motherhood is associated with negative child outcomes. In Japan, few studies have addressed the situation faced by single-mothers with young children, such as living conditions and mental health issues.

Methods: We utilized nationwide data from the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions (2016), collected by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and compared mothers from single-mother households with those from two-parent households, with further subdivision by intergenerational cohabitation. Socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, psychological distress, subjective health status, and stress were examined.

Results: We observed that single-mothers without intergenerational cohabitation seemed to experience harsh living conditions compared to other types of households. Severe psychological distress was observed in 11% of single-mothers without cohabitation compared with 6% among single-mothers with cohabitation and 4% among mothers of two-parent households. Multivariate analysis adjusting for demographic variables showed about a two-fold increased risk of severe psychological distress (OR=2.34, 95% CI: 1.71-3.22) associated with single-mothers without intergenerational cohabitation compared to mothers from two-parent household without cohabitation. Single-mothers without cohabitation tended to smoke and drink alcohol frequently and seemed sleep-deprived.

Limitations: Due to the cross-sectional design, we could not make inference on causality.

Conclusions: Our study highlighted needs for targeted support for single-mothers without intergenerational cohabitation. Efforts in public health and other related fields may present opportunities to reduce negative intergenerational impacts of adversities among socially vulnerable families.

Keywords: Intergenerational cohabitation; Living conditions; Psychological distress; Single-motherhood; Vulnerable families.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Japan / epidemiology
Mothers*
Psychological Distress*
Social Conditions
Stress, Psychological / epidemiology