Mothering alone: cross-national comparisons of later-life disability and health among women who were single mothers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Single motherhood is associated with poorer health, but whether this association varies between countries is not known. We examine associations between single motherhood and poor later-life health in the USA, England and 13 European countries.

Methods

Data came from 25 125 women aged 50+ who participated in the US Health and Retirement Study, the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. We tested whether single motherhood at ages 16-49 was associated with increased risk of limitations with activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADL and fair/poor self-rated health in later life.

Results

33% of American mothers had experienced single motherhood before age 50, versus 22% in England, 38% in Scandinavia,

SUBMITTER: Berkman LF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4759498 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature