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The Mental Health and Parenting Practices of Recently Separated Parents

This study examines the mental health and parenting practices of recently separated parents in New Zealand. It explores the relationship between mental health variables and parenting variables over a five-month period.

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The Mental Health and Parenting Practices of Recently Separated Parents

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  1. The Mental Health and Parenting Practices of Recently Separated Parents Kirsten Ritchie and Dr Fran Vertue University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

  2. Background • Over the last century, the rate of marital dissolution and de facto relationship separation has increased and remained high. • Previous research suggests that separation is associated with increases in mental health issues. • Little research: • Investigates parental mental health and parenting practices post-separation. • Has been conducted in New Zealand.

  3. The New Zealand Context • Over the past 8 years, the Family Court in New Zealand granted between 6,000 and 9,000 marital dissolutions per year. • In 2008, there was a mean of 1.8 children involved per marital dissolution. • These statistics do not include parents in de facto relationships who separate.

  4. Study Aims • Time 1 – April/May 2010 • Describe the mental health of those who are recently separated. • Describe the parenting practices of those who have recently separated. • Investigate the relationships between mental health and parenting variables. Time 2 – September/October 2010 4. Assess changes in mental health in this sample over five months. 5. Assess changes in parenting variables over five months. 6. Investigate the relationships between mental health and parenting variables over five months.

  5. Research Design – Time 1Participants Inclusion criteria: • Any age, sex, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. • Currently living in New Zealand. • Parent at least one child. • Be separated from the other parent in previous 24 months. 112 participants • 73% were female and 27% were male. • Average age of 37.5 years. • Average time since separation was 12.4 months. • The participants were representative of New Zealand.

  6. Research Design – Time 1Procedure • Participants recruited via media advertisement. • 20 minute online survey which covered • demographics, personal background, separation, parenting variables, mental health background, current mental health, alcohol and drug use. • All responses obtained in April and May 2010.

  7. Research Design – Time 2 Procedure • Participants were notified by email five months later. • 15 minute online survey. Participants • 79% retention rate. • 75% were female and 25% were male. • No significant differences in the demographic data between samples.

  8. Outcome Measures

  9. Results - Time 1

  10. Mental Health Profile of Recently Separated Parents

  11. Depression Anxiety (Crawford & Henry, 2003; Gibb et al, 2011; Wells et al, 2006)

  12. Beautrais, et al, 2006; Wells et al., 2006

  13. Sex Differences in Mental Health Post-Separation • Suicidal ideation was higher in fathers post-separation than • in mothers post-separation. • No differences between sexes in remaining measures. Proportion of Separated Fathers and Mothers experiencing Suicidal Ideation Fathers Mothers

  14. Predictors from Cross-sectional Results • Better post-separation adjustment if they: • were more forgiving towards and had less conflict with their ex-partner. • thought the separation was a positive change in the short term. • Suicidal ideation was associated with: • being male. • thinking that the separation was not a positive change for either the short term or for the long term. All p≤0.05

  15. Parenting Practices Post-separation • Generally, parents reported parenting in an authoritative manner. • But had a low parenting self-efficacy score. • No significant differences found between the parenting of fathers and mothers post-separation. • Although mothers reported having a better relationship with their child post-separation than fathers did. • No variables predicted parenting practices post-separation.

  16. Summary of Time 1 Results • Recently separated parents were at higher risk of mental health issues, particularly suicidal ideation. • Fathers had significantly higher levels of suicidal ideation post-separation than mothers did. • The most powerful predictors of poor adjustment post-separation were: • Negative thoughts about the separation. • Negative relationship with ex-partner. • Recently separated parents reported authoritative parenting styles but had low parenting self-efficacy.

  17. Results – Time 2Five Months Later

  18. Longitudinal Nature of Mental Health Post-Separation

  19. Longitudinal Predictors of Mental Health at Time 2 • Suicidal ideation at Time 2 was predicted by: • Higher substance use score at Time 1 • Poorer relationship with their child/ren at Time 1. • Spent less time with child/ren post-separation. • Thought the relationship had deteriorated post-separation. • Had less frequent day-to-day care of their child/ren.

  20. Longitudinal Nature of Parenting Practices Post-Separation • Parents’ level of self-efficacy increased from Time 1 to Time 2. • Over time fathers’ relationship with their child increased, but for mothers their relationship with their child decreased. • The difference between the mothers’ and fathers’ relationship with their child found at Time 1 was no longer significant at Time 2. • This finding may give hope to parents post separation who think their relationship with their child has deteriorated.

  21. Summary of Longitudinal Results • Subjective wellbeing increased between the two time points. • Suicidal ideation decreased between the two time points, especially for fathers. • A poorer relationship with child at Time 1 predicted poorer mental health and suicidal ideation at Time 2. • Parenting self efficacy increased from Time 1 to Time 2. • The difference between mothers’ and fathers’ relationship with their child found at Time 1 disappeared by Time 2.

  22. Limitations • Sample: • Male recruitment rate. • Moderate sample size. • Sample selection bias? • Not generalizable to those with independent children. • Measures: • Scales did not include a diagnosis confirmed by clinical interview.

  23. Clinical Implications • Recently separated parents have a high prevalence of mental health issues. • Education to service providers. • There are predictors which can be kept in mind for determining those at highest risk. • Risk screens of high importance. • There are areas which can be focused on in therapy which may help to alleviate mental distress.

  24. Questions?

  25. Mental Health Outcome Measure The higher the score the poorer and more pervasive the mental health

  26. Substance Use Outcome Measure The higher the score the higher the likelihood of a substance use problem

  27. Parenting Outcome Measures Higher scores suggested higher positive and negative parenting traits

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