Abstract
Purpose
Abusive and neglectful parenting is an established determinant of adult mental illness, but longitudinal studies of the impact
of less severe problems with parenting have yielded inconsistent findings. In the face of growing interest in mental health
promotion, it is important to establish the impact of this potentially remediable risk factor.
of less severe problems with parenting have yielded inconsistent findings. In the face of growing interest in mental health
promotion, it is important to establish the impact of this potentially remediable risk factor.
Methods
Participants: 8,405 participants in the 1958 UK birth cohort study, and 5,058 in the 1970 birth cohort study Exposures: questionnaires
relating to the quality of relationships with parents completed at age 16 years. Outcomes: 12-item General Health Questionnaire
and the Malaise Inventory collected at age 42 years (1958 cohort) and 30 years (1970 cohort). Statistical methodology: logistic
regression analyses adjusting for sex, social class and teenage mental health problems.
relating to the quality of relationships with parents completed at age 16 years. Outcomes: 12-item General Health Questionnaire
and the Malaise Inventory collected at age 42 years (1958 cohort) and 30 years (1970 cohort). Statistical methodology: logistic
regression analyses adjusting for sex, social class and teenage mental health problems.
Results
1958 cohort: relationships with both mother and father predicted mental health problems in adulthood; increasingly poor relationships
were associated with increasing mental health problems at age 42 years. 1970 cohort: positive items derived from the Parental
Bonding Instrument predicted reduced risk of mental health problems; negative aspects predicted increased risk at age 30 years.
Odds of mental health problems were increased between 20 and 80% in fully adjusted models.
were associated with increasing mental health problems at age 42 years. 1970 cohort: positive items derived from the Parental
Bonding Instrument predicted reduced risk of mental health problems; negative aspects predicted increased risk at age 30 years.
Odds of mental health problems were increased between 20 and 80% in fully adjusted models.
Conclusions
Results support the hypothesis that problems with parent–child relationships that fall short of abuse and neglect play a part
in determining adult mental health and suggest that interventions to support parenting now being implemented in many parts
of the Western world may reduce the prevalence of mental illness in adulthood.
in determining adult mental health and suggest that interventions to support parenting now being implemented in many parts
of the Western world may reduce the prevalence of mental illness in adulthood.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0481-1
- Authors
- Z. Morgan, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE5 4PW UK
- T. Brugha, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE5 4PW UK
- T. Fryers, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE5 4PW UK
- S. Stewart-Brown, Health Sciences Research Institute, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AU UK
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954