Health care needs of single mothers.

A prevalence study of self-reported illness in single mothers and mothers from nuclear families was conducted in a low socioeconomic status suburb of Perth. Single mothers had significantly higher rates of psychological distress than mothers from nuclear families. It is suggested that the task of the general practitioner in assisting single mothers lies first in recognizing their susceptibility and identifying their degree of distress. Apart from such recognition and identification, other possible methods of helping such mothers include encouraging them to make better use of available community resources and stimulating local community action to provide the mechanisms through which single mothers can develop a more supportive and less stressful mode of living.