Research into the mental health of single parents has returned troubling results indicating that among an array of worrying factors, suicidal urges and depression were severe problems. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – Research into the mental health of single parents has returned troubling results indicating that among an array of worrying factors, suicidal urges and depression were severe problems.
The data was compiled from the responses to the national health survey of 12,024 adults between the ages of 30 and 59, 548 of whom were single parents. Among the single parents, 407 were women and 141 were men.
Helmed by Professor Kim Soo In and her team at Ewha Womans University, an analysis of the data revealed the risk factors for single parents to depression and suicidal urges were 2.5 and 3.13 times higher than parents with a partner.
Alcoholism was also found to be a problem, though the likelihood of alcohol dependence varied according to gender. Single parent women were 3.58 times more likely to be alcoholics than women with a partner, while the same category of men were 1.4 times more likely to be alcoholics than men with a partner.
Professor Kim listed the rising divorce rate, stigmas attached to single parents, and financial hardships as factors that contribute to alcohol abuse and the onset of depression during child rearing.
She specifically pointed out the link between divorce, financial difficulty and poor mental health when she declared that “the increased frequency of divorce brought financial calamity on single parents and with it negative influences that bore down on their mental health.”
She further stressed the need for government intervention to help support single parents and improve mental health standards.
The research is the first of its kind in Asia to examine the mental health of single parents and compare them to the mental health of parents with partners, according to Kim. A report on the team’s findings was published in the latest issue of the peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE.
The data was compiled from the responses to the national health survey of 12,024 adults between the ages of 30 and 59, 548 of whom were single parents. Among the single parents, 407 were women and 141 were men. (Image: Yonhap)
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
