Mental health problems associated with the only child

This study was undertaken to provide an evaluation of the mental health problems associated with the only child and a basis for further studies of singletons. Data were obtained from the recores of the Mental Health Clinic, London Psychiatric Hospital, of 115 only children and 115 non-only children between 5 and 15 years of age. The results showed that the only child did not differ significantly from his non-only peer in intelligence, school progress, referral reasons and the majority of mental health disturbances, but a significant difference was found in his increased submissiveness, greater number of repeat visits to clinic, and in the overprotective attitude of his parents. Aggressive behaviour was more frequently observed in the control group, which also had a significantly higher proportion of rejecting mothers. Suggestions for further research in this area are made.