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Loss of parent in childhood and adult psychiatric disorder: the role of social class position and premarital pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Tirril Harris ,
George W. Brown  and
Antonia Bifulco
Tirril Harris*
Affiliation:
Department of Social Policy and Social Science, Royal HollowayBedford New College, London
George W. Brown
Affiliation:
Department of Social Policy and Social Science, Royal HollowayBedford New College, London
Antonia Bifulco
Affiliation:
Department of Social Policy and Social Science, Royal HollowayBedford New College, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Tirril Harris, Department of Social Policy and Social Science, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, (University of London), 11 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3RA
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Synopsis

This paper addresses the critique which maintains that loss of parent in a sample of female adults plays no role in determining current depression over and above that of low social class position with which such loss is associated. It examines a series of variables which combine to determine current social class position and which seem to stem from lack of adequate replacement care following loss of mother. The experience of a premarital pregnancy and the way in which women cope with it emerge as critical in this process. The relationship of low social class to the onset of depression is discussed in the light of better-known vulnerability factors such as low confiding in, and undependability of, marital partner, employment outside the home and number of children. It is concluded that a current low social class position, far from explaining away the association between loss of mother and current depression, may itself be brought about by a chain of circumstances stemming from the loss. Once again, the quality of replacement care is shown to play a critical role.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , February 1987 , pp. 163 - 183
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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