SINGLE PARENTHOOD AND HEALTH - HEALTH-PRO BLEMS AND MOBILIZATION OF MEDICAL RESOURCES FOLLOWING A SEPARATION

Based on a survey sample of heads of single-parent families in Quebec, this study examines the relationships between family members' health problems, help-seeking behaviours to solve these problems, and the par ent's perception of the health system and public resources dedicated t o single-parent families. Parental disagreement at the time of the bre akup is associated with psychological problems for both the custodial parent and the children, and could create problems for which the forma l care system does not offer adequate help. Parents who least benefitt ed from the informal system were more critical of the assistance given by the government. Some comparisons are made between male and female custodial parents and between French-speakers and English-speakers.