Single Motherhood, Living Arrangements, and Time With Children in Japan

Time usage analysis and satisfaction comparison by occupational area according to the sex of single-parent families

BACKGROUND

Single-parent families are burdened with dual roles as parents amidst economic poverty due to the lack of a spouse. Single parents also face the complications of time poverty.

AIM

To examine the time use of single-parent families by dividing their time into occupational area and explore the differences in time deficiency and life satisfaction.

METHODS

In this study, the time usage in the '2019 time of life survey' data of the National Statistical Office is classified based on the fourth edition of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, and the time use and satisfaction of single-parent families classified according to sex. In the '2019 time of life survey' of the National Statistical Office, the subjects who selected single-parent families in the 'single parent-parent-grandchild households' item were first selected. The data of 404 parents from single-parent families were selected next. The time usage, time deficiency, and life satisfaction were analyzed by occupational area.

RESULTS

The subjects spent the most time resting and sleeping, followed by engaging in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), work, and health management. As a result of comparing the subjects by sex, it was found that the male subjects spent more time on work than the female subjects, and the female subjects spent more time on IADLs, education and social participation. As a result of comparing time deficiency and life satisfaction, the male subjects felt that they lacked time compared to the female subjects. There was no significant difference in life satisfaction. By examining whether single-parent families' time use by occupational area affected the time deficiency, it was found that male's working time make them feel they have less time, while female's leisure time makes them feel they have more time.

CONCLUSION

This study made it possible to determine the characteristics of single-parent households' time use and sex differences. Furthermore, it is expected to be used as basic data for measures to solve not only time poverty, but also economic poverty in single-parent families.

Intergenerational caregiving on mental health of middle-aged and older adults in China: empirical insights

Introduction

The impact of intergenerational caregiving on the mental health of providers remains a controversial topic, especially in countries like China where it is prevalent. Given the country's aging population and recent liberalization of the two-child policy, understanding the effects of intergenerational caregiving on the mental health of middle-aged and older adult(s) individuals is crucial. This study aimed to explore the impact of intergenerational caregiving on mental health among middle-aged and older adult(s) individuals.

Methods

We analyzed data from the China Health and Aging Tracking Survey (CHARLS) 2013, consisting of 6602 participants finally. Personal information, family structure, financial support, health status, and physical measurements were selected for analysis. Correlation and regression analyses were used for relationships among variables controlling for potential confounding variables. Mental health status was evaluated using the depression self-rating scale.

Results

There is a significant positive effect of intergenerational care on the mental health of middle-aged and older adult(s) people. Additionally, we re-profiled intergenerational care variables by considering the number and length of intergenerational caregivers, and found that the effects remained significant. Furthermore, the effects of intergenerational care vary across subgroups based on gender, age, nature of usual residence, marital status, and physical health status. Finally, we identified two mechanisms through which intergenerational caregiving positively affects mental health: intergenerational financial support and intergenerational spiritual support.

Discussion

These findings have important implications for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and family members in promoting the mental health of middle-aged and older adult(s) individuals in China.

[A comparison of perceived maternal love and parentification in children of single-mothers and two-parent families]

Objectives: About 20 % of children in Germany grow up with a single mother - this is often associated with multiple strain for the mothers and may have adverse effects on the child-parent relationship. Methods: In two retrospective internet surveys (wave 1 born in 1960s, wave 2 born in 1990s) perceived maternal love and role reversal were assessed in children of single mothers and children grown up in two parent families. Results: In both waves high values of maternal love were reported. For children raised by single mothers, strong effects for age and occupational status were observed. Contrary to literature, no gender specific effects on role reversal were observed in this sample. Discussion: High occupational strain in a single mother was associated with less perceived love in the child.Multiple strain in singlemothers should findmore social and political attention. Regarding role reversal support should address daughters and sons similarly.

Maladaptive coping, victimization, and recidivism among Japanese adolescents and emerging adults

BACKGROUND

Substance use and victimization are known to be related to juvenile recidivism. Self-harm, a factor that commonly accompanies substance use and victimization, is not known to be related to said recidivism but may be so in a welfare-oriented juvenile justice system as found in Japan.

OBJECTIVE

We examine the extent to which maladaptive coping, comprising substance use and self-harm, increases the rate of persistence in correctional institutions in light of other well-replicated factors of youth recidivism. The study, too, investigates the role of maladaptive coping in explaining the impact of victimization on correctional recidivism.

METHODS

We draw from a sample of 348 adolescents and emerging adults, between ages 12-19 years, who were initially detained at a Juvenile Classification Home and followed-up for an average of 3.35 years.

RESULTS

Findings indicate that maladaptive coping is significantly related to persistence in the system, although history of probationary supervision and gang membership also were significant explanatory factors. In addition, the direct effect of victimization was larger than the indirect effect of victimization through maladaptive coping.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike previous studies, self-harm is significantly related to recidivism. This suggests that recidivism reflects a need for help more so than for punishment. The wider implications are that juvenile justice systems characterized as punitive seem outdated in managing detained young people as they lack adequate prevention supports.

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

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.

Leading by Example: Association Between Mother and Child Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior

PURPOSE

The authors examined the relationship between mother and child activity.

METHODS

The authors compared moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time of low-income mothers with obesity and their 6- to 12-year-old children on week (WD) and weekend (WE) days. A total of 196 mother-child pairs wore accelerometers simultaneously for a week. Mothers completed questionnaires. Spearman correlation and multivariate regression were used.

RESULTS

WE MVPA (accelerometry) was significantly correlated between mothers with children aged 6-7 (rs = .35) and daughters (rs = .27). Self-reported maternal PA time spent with one of their children was significantly correlated with the WE MVPA of all children (rs = .21) and children aged 8-10 (rs = .22) and with the WD MVPA of all children (rs = .15), children aged 8-10 (rs = .23), aged 11-12 (rs = .52), and daughters (rs = .37), and inversely correlated to the WD sedentary time of all children (rs = -.21), children aged 8-10 (rs = -.30), aged 11-12 (rs = -.34), daughters (rs = -.26), and sons (rs = -.22). In multivariate regression, significant associations were identified between reported child-mother PA time together and child MVPA and sedentary time (accelerometry).

CONCLUSIONS

Mothers may influence the PA levels of their children with the strongest associations found in children aged 6-7 and daughters. Mother-child coparticipation in PA may lead to increased child MVPA and decreased sedentary behavior.

Maternal caries experience influences offspring's early childhood caries-a birth cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To describe early childhood caries (ECC) patterns and evaluate the associations with maternal caries experience and other factors.

METHODS

A secondary analysis was undertaken using data from the Study of Mothers' and Infants' Life Events Affecting Oral Health (SMILE), a population-based birth cohort study. It used data from 1040 mother/child dyads. Standardized oral examinations of the mothers and the children were conducted when children were 2-3 years old to determine the prevalence of ECC (main outcome) and maternal caries experience (main exposure variable). Maternal sociodemographic characteristics, time-restricting conditions (relationship status, work status and number of children in the household) and dental health behaviours (brushing frequency and sugary beverage consumption) served as covariates. Data on child dental health behaviours were collected at two years of age. Multivariable models were generated for ECC to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) for the association between ECC and maternal caries experience, controlling for the covariates.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ECC among 2- to 3-year-old children was 10.6% (95%CI: 8.7%-12.5%). It was higher in children whose mothers had greater caries experience. Children whose mothers had higher caries experience had 86% (PR = 1.86 [1.27-2.72]) greater risk of having ECC than those whose mothers had low caries experience. Children whose teeth had not been brushed the night before had a higher risk of ECC (PR = 1.4 [1.01-1.9]) than their counterparts. Women born in Australia, New Zealand or the UK had offspring with lower risk of ECC.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal caries experience was an independent risk factor for offspring ECC. However, good oral health behaviours practised by mothers for their children may alleviate such risk. Mothers need to be supported to adopt good oral health behaviours and a healthy diet for their child.

Sociodemographic characteristics associated with frequency and duration of eating family meals: a cross-sectional analysis

Introduction

Children who frequently eat family meals are less likely to develop risk- and behavior-related outcomes, such as substance misuse, sexual risk, and obesity. Few studies have examined sociodemographic characteristics associated with both meal frequency (i.e., number of meals) and duration (i.e., number of minutes spent at mealtimes).

Methods

We examine the association between sociodemographics and family meal frequency and duration among a sample of 85 parents in a large New England city that was recruited through the public-school system. Additionally, we examined differences in family meals by race/ethnicity and parental nativity. Unadjusted ANOVA and adjusted ANCOVA models were used to assess the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and frequency and duration of meals.

Results

Sociodemographic characteristics were not significantly associated with the frequency of family meals; however, in the adjusted models, differences were associated with duration of meals. Parents who were born outside the U.S. spent an average of 135.0 min eating meals per day with their children compared to 76.2 for parents who were born in the U.S. (p < 0.01). Additionally, parents who reported being single, divorced, or separated on average, spent significantly more time per day eating family meals (126.7 min) compared to parents who reported being married or partnered (84.4; p = 0.02). Differences existed in meal duration by parental nativity and race/ethnicity, ranging from 63.7 min among multi-racial/other parents born in the U.S. to 182.8 min among black parents born outside the U.S.

Discussion

This study builds a foundation for focused research into the mechanisms of family meals. Future longitudinal epidemiologic research on family meals may help to delineate targets for prevention of maladaptive behaviors, which could affect family-based practices, interventions, and policies.

Trends and correlates of single motherhood in Kenya: Results from the Demographic and Health Survey

Single motherhood exposes women to poorer socioeconomic and health outcomes, which may also negatively impact child outcomes. The Demographic and Health Surveys of 1989, 1993, 1998, 2003, and 2009 were used to investigate trends over time and factors associated with single motherhood in Kenya. Urban residence, older age, and poorer economic status were associated with single motherhood over time. Women with more than one child, and those with children under 15 years living at home were less likely to be single mothers. As women become single mothers at different stages, targeted and supportive strategies are required to mitigate associated risks.

Single Motherhood and Children's Health and School Performance in Japan

This paper examines the well-being of Japanese children in single-mother families relative to children living with both parents. Using data from three rounds of the National Survey of Households with Children, I first demonstrate that single mothers report their children to have significantly worse health and lower academic performance. I then estimate regression models to assess the extent to which these differences reflect single mothers' economic disadvantage, difficult work circumstances, and worse health and experience of stressful life events. Results indicate that economic disadvantage is particularly important for understanding lower levels of well-being among the children of single mothers. I conclude by discussing potential implications of these results for linkages between family behavior and inequality in Japan and for the intergenerational transmission of disadvantage.