Due to the fact that approximately 50% of US first marriages ending in divorce, there is a growing need to identify and understand the causal mechanisms behind these separations and what effects this event has upon the family unit. This study employed secondary data analyses on the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study to identify the differences in the frequency of adverse health behaviors among fathers that are coupled with their partner and those who are divorced/separated. Trends of the fathers from the baseline survey to the five-year follow-up allowed us to observe the following: Differences in adverse health behaviors, self-reported mental health status, and the potential impact relationship dynamics have upon the family unit. A bio-behavioral marker was created to assist in identifying possible future effects of adverse health behaviors upon the family. Results show the non-married fathers participate in alcohol consumption, illegal substances, cigarette consumption and show more symptoms of depression at higher rates and more frequently than the married fathers. The non-married fathers put their children at the greatest risk of developing adverse health behaviors later in life.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ucf.edu/oai:stars.library.ucf.edu:honorstheses1990-2015-2737 |
| Date | 01 May 2015 |
| Creators | Resciniti, Nicolas |
| Publisher | STARS |
| Source Sets | University of Central Florida |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | HIM 1990-2015 |
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