Accompanying Your Children: Living Without Parents at Different Stages of Pre-adulthood and Individual Physical and Mental Health in Adulthood

Overview

Journal Front Public Health

Specialty Public Health

Date 2023 Mar 30

PMID 36992894

Authors

Yao Jiang

Hanling Xiao

Fan Yang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined how living without parents at different stages of childhood and adolescence affects physical and mental health in adulthood.

Methods: The data came from 3,464 survey respondents aged 18-36 in the 2018 China Labor-Force Dynamics Survey. Physical health was self-rated. Mental health was measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. The ordered probit and ordinary least-squares regression analyses were employed to determine the associations between growing up without parents at different stages in pre-adulthood and individual physical and mental health in adulthood.

Results: Individuals who did not live with their parents during their minor years were more likely to report worse physical and mental health in adulthood, compared to those who lived with their parents. This difference was heterogeneous among different age stages and genders.

Conclusions: Absence of parents in the household has long-term impacts on the physical and mental health of children in adulthood, especially for females. The government should make feasible institutional arrangements to avoid the separation of minor children from their parents.

Citing Articles

Sex Differences in Risk Factors for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Korean Adolescents.

Jin Y, Park J Soa Chongsonyon Chongsin Uihak. 2024; 35(4):258-265.

PMID: 39380566 PMC: 11456653. DOI: 10.5765/jkacap.240033.

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