Mental Health among Adolescents in Single-Parent Families: A Comprehensive Review of Psychosocial Risk and Protective Factors

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19690367

V. C. Megha and N. Annalakshmi (Department of Psychology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu)

The present review aims to synthesize evidence on factors influencing mental health outcomes among adolescents living in single-parent families. Relevant studies were identified through electronic databases, including PubMed, APA PsycArticles, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and JSTOR. A combination of key terms related to family structure, adolescents, single-mother families, single-father families, single-parent families, risk factors, protective factors, personality, social support, psychological problems, and resilience was used. Search terms included “single-parent families” OR “single-mother families” OR “single-father families” AND “adolescent mental health” OR “Big Five personality traits” OR “personality factors” OR “social support” OR “demographic factors” OR “psychological problems” OR “resilience.” Studies showed an increased susceptibility of adolescents in single-parent families to psychological problems because of socio-demographic stress factors and parental distress. Meanwhile, adaptive personality, positive parenting, and strong social support are related to their resilience. However, a very small part of research distinguishes between single-mother and single-father families or uses integrative and mixed-method methodology. The review highlights the importance of the strength-based, culturally sensitive interventions and integrative research approaches for mental health among adolescents living in single-parent families.