Family Structure and Self-Rated Health in Adolescence and Young Adulthood |
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Authors: | Holly E Heard Bridget K Gorman Carolyn A Kapinus |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Sociology MS-28, Rice University, 6100 S. Main Street, Houston, TX 77005-1892, USA;(2) Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA |
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Abstract: | While the relationship between family structure and child well-being is well-established, little is known about the specific
impact of family structure on health in adolescence and young adulthood. Using data on 12,737 respondents from Waves I and
III of Add Health, we examine the association between family structure (two biological/adoptive, stepfather, and single mother
families at Wave I) and self-rated health in adolescence (Wave I) and young adulthood (Wave III). We build on previous literature
by investigating whether the relationship between family structure and self-rated health is mediated by demographic background,
socioeconomic status, parent–child relationships, external social support, and health characteristics and behaviors, and whether
the influence of these factors endures into adulthood. Overall, we find that self-rated health is reduced for respondents
who lived in stepfather or single mother families during adolescence, although this effect is attenuated in young adulthood.
Family structure effects at both waves are explained by socioeconomic status, social support and competence, and health characteristics
and behaviors. We find little evidence that demographic background or mother–child relationships mediate the relationship
between family structure and self-rated health. By young adulthood, effects of most adolescent predictors are attenuated,
but health assessments are largely influenced by changes in health characteristics and behaviors, and in family type.
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Keywords: | Adolescence Family structure Health Life course Transition to adulthood |
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