ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: As in other western countries the proportion of single parent families in Germany is growing. International studies showed lower socioeconomic status and elevated psychic distress in single mothers as well as increased problem behavior in their children. This study was performed to make up for the lack of epidemiologic investigations on this issue in Germany. METHODS: The family status of a complete cohort of school beginners in Duesseldorf was screened (recruitment rate 97.5%, N = 5,048). Single mothers and their children were compared to a control group of married mothers (N = 278) with respect to social variables and psychic distress (SCL-90-R, CBCL). RESULTS: 907 (18.0%) of all children lived in single parent families. Socioeconomic status (income, education, receiving welfare) of single mothers (total N = 891) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria (N = 531) was lower, while psychic distress was significantly elevated (GSI 0.45 vs. 0.28). Single mothers without additional personal support for their child, younger as well as poor single mothers showed higher values of GSI. Statistically significant increased behavior problems were found only in boys of single mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Single mothers are socially disadvantaged. They show an elevated mean psychic distress compared to married mothers. Psychosocial support for higher impaired subgroups of single mothers should be developed.
Subject(s)
Child Behavior Disorders/epidemiology , Mothers/statistics & numerical data , Psychophysiologic Disorders/epidemiology , Psychosocial Deprivation , Single Parent/statistics & numerical data , Somatoform Disorders/epidemiology , Stress, Psychological/complications , Adult , Child , Child Behavior Disorders/psychology , Child of Impaired Parents/psychology , Child of Impaired Parents/statistics & numerical data , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Germany/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Male , Mass Screening , Middle Aged , Mothers/psychology , Psychophysiologic Disorders/psychology , Risk Factors , Single Parent/psychology , Socioeconomic Factors , Somatoform Disorders/psychologyABSTRACT
Whereas the efficacy of inpatient treatment in socalled psychosomatic rehabilitation clinics in Germany has been well researched and documented, studies involving large samples on the efficacy of inpatient treatment in acute hospitals are lacking. A multicentered retrospective study involving clinics for psychotherapy at three separate universities was conducted on a sample of n=495. The patients were treated on an inpatient basis between April 1990 and July 1998 in one of the clinics. The predominant approach to treatment of these clinics was psychodynamic. Other approaches such as behavioral therapy are integrated. In addition to sociodemographic variables clinical data (SCL-90-R, IIP, BSS, ICD-Diagnosis) at admission and discharge were collected. A follow-up study was not conducted. With an average effect size of 0.84 in terms of clinical scales the results demonstrate good efficacy of inpatient treatment. Effect sizes were high on the depression, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety scale of the SCL-90-R, and were low on the phobia subscale. By self report 55% of all patients indicated they had markedly improved, 22% indicated no change and 6% stated they were worse. 17% of all patients were below the chosen cut-off point of the GSI. Patients with a low level of education took benefit as well from the offered therapy. There was no clear relationship between effect size and length of hospital stay. This may be due to the particular setting of a university clinic.
