Single Mothers and Mental Health in South Korea: The Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survery, 2016

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate that single mothers are at a greater risk for mental illness as compared to married mothers. However, the relationship between single motherhood and mental health in South Korea has not been adequately studied. This study was aimed at comparing major depressive disorder (MDD) and other mental health problems in single and married mothers in South Korea.METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. In this cross-sectional study, the data of 1,770 subjects were analyzed. MDD was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire. We used chi-square tests to evaluate subjects' general attributes and mental health (MDD, perceived stress, suicidal ideation, and counseling for psychological problems). Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between single motherhood and MDD.RESULTS: The results demonstrated that single mothers were at an increased risk for MDD as compared to married mothers; single mothers had greater odds of MDD (odds ratio, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–2.67) after adjusting for all covariates.CONCLUSION: According to the results, single South Korean mothers are at a higher risk for MDD than those who are married. With this study having identified single mothers as a vulnerable group, targeted interventions to improve their mental health must be developed.