Distribution of accidents, injuries, and illnesses by family type

Objective. To investigate whether family type and psychosocial risks indexe d by family type were systematically associated with differences in health outcomes in children. Design and Subjects. The study is based on a longitudinal, prospective stud y of a large (n = similar to 10 000) community sample of families, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood. Main Outcome Measures. Frequency of accidents, illnesses, and medical inter ventions. Results. At 2 years of age, children in single-parent and stepfamilies were disproportionately likely to experience accidents and receive medical trea tment for physical illnesses. In addition, children in single-parent famili es and stepfamilies were more likely to be hospitalized or receive attentio n from a hospital doctor for an injury or illness. Exposure to psychosocial risks also were elevated in single-parent families and stepfamilies, compa red with intact or nonstepfamilies, and these factors primarily accounted f or the connection between family type and children's physical health. Conclusions. The consequences of family transitions on children's health ex tend beyond traditional mental health and behavioral outcomes and include a ccident proneness, illness, and receipt of medical attention. The mediating processes are not entirely attributable to social class differences connec ted to family type and may instead be associated with a range of psychosoci al risks that are more frequently found in single-parent families and stepf amilies, compared with intact or nonstepfamilies. Prevention and interventi on efforts directed toward children at risk for poor behavioral and mental health adjustment secondary to family disruption should consider children's physical health and health-related behaviors.