The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors that influence depression among single mothers. Participants were 195 single mothers and 357 married mothers living in an urban community in South Korea. All subjects completed self-report questionnaires that included the following self-rating scales: the Global Assessment of Recent Stress, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale, and the Korean version of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine independent factors affecting single mothers’ depression. The prevalence of depression differed notably between the single mothers and the control group, at 33% and 8%, respectively. In the single mothers, young age, low income, residential instability, high stress, and high alcohol-related problems were determined to be associated with depression. Furthermore, after adjusting for covariates, living in rental housing (OR = 11.46, 95% CI 1.72–76.46) was found to be an independent risk factor of depression in the single mothers, while stress (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.09–1.24) was found to have this effect on the married mothers. Practical services concerning economic stability and parenting support should be provided for single mothers to reduce depression among this demographic.

This study compared the prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in individuals living alone compared with those living with others and assessed the contribution of socio-demographic factors and physical health to these differences. We analyzed 2221 individuals living alone and 19,397 individuals living with others aged 20–80 years, drawn from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dataset in South Korea. The study group divided into three subgroups based on age to determine whether there were differences in mental health according to age. Depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation were evaluated by self-reported questionnaires. The sex- and age-adjusted prevalence rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation were higher in those living alone than those living with others. The proportion of socio-economic status and physical health explaining the differences of depressive mood and suicidal ideation between the two groups was greater in the age group over 35 years old. Considering the difference in factors that explain depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among individuals living alone in the age group over 35 years of age and younger groups under 34 years of age, policies should be developed that will address the mental health needs of each age group.

So Hyun Park, Hyang Woon Lee, Ga Eun Kim, and Eui-Jung Kim. J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022;33:106-12. https://doi.org/10.5765/jkacap.220015

Hee Youn Won, MinA Park, Ga Eun Kim, and Eui-Jung Kim. J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024;35:266-74. https://doi.org/10.5765/jkacap.240027

박민아, et al. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc. 2023 Nov;62(4):182-191. https://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2023.62.4.182