How Does Single Motherhood Impact Health and Wellbeing?

Previous research has shown that single mothers experience disproportionately higher rates of physical and mental illness compared to partnered mothers. In this video, moving beyond that comparative focus, MINE KÜHN analyzes how the transition into and length of single motherhood impacts health and wellbeing, as well as the factors that determine those impacts. By investigating changes in single motherhood over time using German panel data, Kühn finds that expanded employment correlates strongly with improved health and wellbeing for single mothers. Her findings highlight the vital importance of policies which enable single mothers to return to work, such as institutional childcare provision.