HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Avison, W. R. Articles by Davies, L. Articles citing this Article PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Avison, W. R. Articles by Davies, L.

Family Structure, Gender, and Health in the Context of the Life Course

¹ Department of Sociology
² Children's Health Research Institute
³ Aging & Health Research Centre, The University of Western Ontario, Canada.

Address correspondence to Dr. William R. Avison, Department of Sociology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C2. E-mail: wavison{at}uwo.ca

Abstract

We estimate the effects of single parenthood on parental health and determine whether such effects are similar for all single parents or whether there are variations by gender among young, middle-aged, and older adults. The results of our analyses of the Canadian National Population Health Survey (NPHS) reveal that single parenthood is associated with elevated psychological distress and alcohol consumption among women, especially among those who are in younger age groups. Although we find no such differences among men, there is some indication of elevated distress among younger fathers. We discuss the implications of these findings for thinking about single parenthood at various life stages.