Depressive symptomatology in single women heads of households in Puerto Rico: a comparative analysis

The present study examines depressive symptomatology among women in Puerto Rico, using data from an island wide population-based sample. We focus on single women heads of households (SWHH) defined as divorced, separated, widowed and never married women with no permanent mate who have the main economic responsibility for their households. The study aims to identify social factors such as family responsibilities, stressful life events, and reduced levels of social support, that may contribute to the risk for depressive symptoms in these women. This is a growing population: the 1990 Census reported that 23% of all households in Puerto Rico were headed by women, an increase from 14% in 1970. The present study was based on a probability sample of adults (17-68 years), interviewed using a structured schedule, from which we analyzed the female subjects. Women were classified in three mutually exclusive groups: single women heads of households (SWHH, n = 138), single women not heads of households (SWNHH, n = 104), and married women not heads of households (MW, n = 275). Our finding that single women heads of households were especially vulnerable to depressive symptomatology is consistent with that of other studies in the United States. Also consistent with previous research, SWHH were found to be older, poorer, have less education and more often lived in urban areas, as compared to other women. Having children at home was associated with more depressive symptoms among both groups of single women, but not among married women. And the availability of emotional supporters had a weaker effect for SWHH. Furthermore, quality of support was found to be more important for these women than number of persons available for emotional support. The study has several implications for family policy and mental health prevention. Since SWHH are vulnerable for depressive symptomatology and their number is increasing, programs should be developed to attend the special needs of these women. These programs could include the provision of child care and the creation of self-help groups to build on their strengths and to combat isolation and loneliness.