Parents Less Likely Than Non-parenting Adults To Suffer Serious Psychological Distress

Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 30 Oct 2007 - 16:00 PDT

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Parents often complain that their children are "driving them crazy," but new research suggests just the opposite may be true.

According to researchers at RTI International, the incidence of reported serious psychological distress is significantly lower among adult parents than among non-parenting adults of the same age in the United States.

Researchers compared the prevalence of serious psychological distress among parenting and non-parenting adults, as reported in data from over 33,000 adults who participated in the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. According to their analysis, the incidence of serious psychological distress within the past year was 12 percent among non-parenting adults aged 18-49, compared with 8.9 percent for parents.

"Although the news is generally good for parents, we should also recognize that parents in specific situations, particularly those with low incomes, face very stressful situations that can lead to serious psychological distress," said Mindy Herman-Stahl, Ph.D., a senior researcher at RTI International and the study's lead author.

Among all adults, the risk of serious psychological distress was highest among those who are younger, have lower household incomes, are divorced or separated, and those receiving Medicaid.

"Increased screening and access to coordinated and culturally appropriate mental health treatment that address parenting issues for high-risk groups of parenting adults are crucial for reducing the public health burden of parent mental health problems," the study's authors said. [From: "Serious Psychological Distress Among Parenting and Non-parenting Adults." Contact: Mindy Herman-Stahl, PhD, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, N.C., mindy@rti.org .]

The American Journal of Public Health is the monthly journal of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the oldest organization of public health professionals in the world. APHA is a leading publisher of books and periodicals promoting sound scientific standards, action programs and public policy to enhance health.

American Journal of Public Health