Childhood abuse and psychiatric disorders among single and married mothers

Objective: This study examined the prevalence of, and association between, childhood abuse and psychiatric disorders in single and married mothers. Method: Single and married mothers who participated in the Ontario Health S urvey, a province-wide study derived from a probability sample of the gener al population of Ontario aged 15 years and older (N = 1,471), were included . Sociodemographic and mental health characteristics were collected by mean s of interviewer-administered questionnaires. A self-administered questionn aire was used to collect information on childhood physical and sexual abuse . Results: Compared with married mothers, single mothers reported substantial ly lower incomes as well as higher rates of childhood abuse and all psychia tric morbidities examined (current and lifetime affective or anxiety disord ers and substance use disorders). Childhood abuse had a consistent and sign ificant association with adult mental health, even when other risk variable s were controlled. No interaction among childhood abuse and marital status and outcome was found. Conclusions: Single mothers reported more childhood abuse and experienced h igher levels of poverty and psychiatric disorders than married mothers. Chi ldhood abuse was associated with more psychiatric problems in both single a nd married mothers. Research, clinical, and policy implications of these fi ndings are discussed.