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Growing up with a single mother and life satisfaction in adulthood: A test of mediating and moderating factors

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  • David Richter
  • Sakari Lemola

Abstract

Single parenthood is increasingly common in Western societies but only little is known about its long-term effects. We therefore studied life satisfaction among 641 individuals (ages 18–66 years) who spent their entire childhood with a single mother, 1539 individuals who spent part of their childhood with both parents but then experienced parental separation, and 21,943 individuals who grew up with both parents. Individuals who grew up with a single mother for their entire childhood and to a lesser degree also individuals who experienced parental separation showed a small but persistent decrease in life satisfaction into old age controlling childhood socio-economic status. This decrease was partly mediated by worse adulthood living conditions related to socio-economic and educational success, physical health, social integration, and romantic relationship outcomes. No moderation by age, gender, and societal system where the childhood was spent (i.e. western oriented FRG or socialist GDR) was found.

Suggested Citation

  • David Richter & Sakari Lemola, 2017. "Growing up with a single mother and life satisfaction in adulthood: A test of mediating and moderating factors," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(6), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0179639
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179639
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    1. Richter, David & Lemola, Sakari, 2014. "Institutional Rearing Is Associated with Lower General Life Satisfaction in Adulthood," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 48, pages 93-97.
    2. Gert G. Wagner & Joachim R. Frick & Jürgen Schupp, 2007. "The German Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP) – Scope, Evolution and Enhancements," Schmollers Jahrbuch : Journal of Applied Social Science Studies / Zeitschrift für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin, vol. 127(1), pages 139-169.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stefano Cellini & Livia Menezes & Martin Foureaux Koppensteiner, 2022. "Maternal Displacements during Pregnancy and the Health of Newborns," Discussion Papers 22-02, Department of Economics, University of Birmingham.

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