Impact of Generalized Anxiety Disorder on Single Parents

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental state characterized by ongoing sustained worrying that may be associated with various people, events, or situations. This psychological condition is often accompanied by constant nervousness, muscle tension, sweating, physical pain, insomnia, and other physiological signs of experiencing fear (Stein & Sareen, 2015). According to DSM-5, a GAD is diagnosed when symptoms are present for six months or more, and the patient is unable to manage them (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It is also stated that the symptoms should cause problems with functioning and not be related to other factors such as drugs, medications, and various physical and psychiatric problems. This disorder can have particularly adverse consequences if the patient experiences a challenging and stressful life situation that aggravates his or her psychological state. Single parenthood is generally associated with severe living conditions and increased responsibility. This paper examines the impact of the GAD on single parents. It analyzes the major adverse symptoms and associated single parenting stress and describes their impact on children, the mental and physical health of parents, and social circumstances.

Major Adverse Symptoms

It should be pointed out that there is no unified theory in the scientific literature about the causes of GAD, although researchers agree on some factors that correlate with it. Primarily, the development of the disorder may be related to genetic determinants. According to Gottschalk and Domschke (2017), the GAD “is a heritable condition with a moderate genetic risk (heritability of approximately 30%)” (p. 166). Researchers are identifying candidate genes that demonstrate the most significant correlation with the anxiety disorder phenotype. In addition, the researchers emphasize the critical role of gene–environmental interplay (Gottschalk & Domschke, 2017). It increases the risk of GAD in the case of a combination of early development traumas and recent stressful experiences and events with a corresponding genetic predisposition. The use of various substances, including alcohol, drugs, medications, tobacco, and even caffeine, is also a major risk factor. Researchers also note that the disorder is more common among discriminated population groups and people in severe socio-economic conditions.

Symptoms of the GAD can affect all areas of a person’s activity. According to DSM-5, the typical symptoms are irritability, problems with concentration, fatigue, insomnia, and restlessness (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). This diagnosis is made when they cause problems with functioning, which can vary according to the severity. It should also be noted that symptoms may intensify over time. Worry and nervousness are the primary symptoms of this disorder. Researchers indicate that these experiences may arise due to any situation or event, or may be unrelated to anything at all (Stein & Sareen, 2015). As a rule, the patient is involved in ongoing thoughts about potentially dangerous or undesirable circumstances that cause feelings of fear and insecurity. These cognitive representations can affect any area of life, impede overall satisfaction and comfort, and significantly reduce academic or working performance. According to Stein and Sareen (2015), “persons with generalized anxiety disorder are at increased risk for deliberate self-harm, including suicide attempts” (p. 2060). Some people are unable to cope with the constant psychological stress and need medical and psychotherapeutic care.

Moreover, in extreme cases, anxiety conditions can be a severe health threat. Insomnia, which is characterized by poor quality or duration of sleep, negatively affects the metabolic processes and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, it significantly impairs the person’s ability to perform essential psychological functions, such as memory, attention, and thinking. Thus, the symptoms of the GAD are interdependent and contribute to each other’s continuation. For instance, constant restlessness increases insomnia and fatigue, which, in turn, cause even more stress. This vicious circle may also include irritability, physical pain, and decreased cognitive functioning.

Besides, a characteristic feature of the symptoms of the GAD and some other mental disorders is that they form a similar pattern with external factors. As previously noted, traumatic childhood or recent experiences, low socio-economic status, relationship problems, alcohol, and drug abuse are significant risk factors for the GAD (Stein & Sareen, 2015). At the same time, the symptoms of this disorder may themselves be the cause of these adverse circumstances. The severity and danger of symptoms as well as treatment prognoses are usually assessed with specialized diagnostic tools such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 scale (Stein & Sareen, 2015). Measurement methods allow for a more objective assessment of the GAD symptoms, at least to some extent, since, in general, anxiety is a subjective and implicit feeling.

Single Parenting Stress

It should be emphasized that there is currently an increasing trend in the number of single parents. According to Whisenhunt et al. (2019), the percentage of complete two-parent families has declined from 88% to 69% over the past 60 years in the US (p. 188). Researchers note that the number of singles-father households has increased approximately nine-fold over this time (Coles, 2015, p. 145). Despite that, the number of single-mother families is still much higher, and women are at greater risk of becoming single parents. Also, women are more susceptible to symptoms specific to the GAD. Stein and Sareen (2015) state that its “prevalence is approximately twice as high among women as among men” (p. 2059). Consequently, the impact of the GAD on single parents is a problem more peculiar to women, although it is becoming increasingly relevant for men.

Single parenthood can be either voluntary, for example, in the case of adoption or in vitro fertilization, or involuntary, and this has a significant influence on parental perception. Typically, it is the result of unforeseen adverse circumstances such as the death of a spouse, divorce, and separation. Evidently, single parents face higher levels of exhaustion and anxiety. According to Whisenhunt et al. (2019), “single mothers tend to experience higher rates of sadness, stress, and fatigue when compared to partnered mothers” (p. 189). One of the main reasons for such psychological problems is the role and task overload. A parent faces the need to independently raise a child and address his or her various demands, support the household, and earn a living.

Such lifestyle requirements can potentially be associated with financial constraints, reduced social contacts, and even a certain level of isolation. Researchers note that single parents may experience general fatigue, depression, and a sense of loss of control (Whisenhunt et al., 2019). The GAD symptoms can exacerbate difficult situations, and single parenthood is generally perceived as a life challenge. Given that the clinical picture of this disorder is generally related to stress, its occurrence in a single parent appears to be predictable and may have adverse consequences for the family.

Negative thoughts accompanied by emotional experiences of restlessness and anxiety in ordinary GAD patients may be associated even with minor events. The circumstances of a single parent’s life are incredibly suitable for creating an anxious narrative that will renew and amplify the worry. A person may experience feelings of great responsibility, loneliness, fear for a child, and worries about finances and other circumstances. These reflections, in turn, may cause increased stress levels, which will exacerbate the actual situation. In this way, a vicious circle of adverse experiences and real circumstances, which is inherent to the GAD, can develop.

However, it should be emphasized that single parenthood is not a disastrous factor, which, together with the GAD, always results in negative consequences. Researchers note that it may also have positive psychological and practical implications. These include “improved communication and parenting skills, personal growth, and the pride that comes from financially supporting and managing a family” (Whisenhunt et al., 2019, p. 189). Furthermore, the cases of voluntary single parenthood are not usually associated with extraordinary stressful experiences, as they are planned. Thus, the development of the GAD in single parents to a large extent depends on social and psychological conditions and gene–environmental presets.

Influence on Mental and Physical Health

The specific mental and physical health effects of the GAD on a single parent require detailed consideration. Researchers state that single parents are at higher risk of mental disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and even mortality than partnered parents (Liang et al., 2019). Accordingly, this population group is more vulnerable to specific health problems. In particular, GAD can contribute to the development of mental disorders such as depression and panic disorder. Studies have found that depressive symptoms are more likely to occur in single parents during the postpartum stage or the school or later life period of their child (Liang et al., 2019). Depression may involve stably diminished moods, pessimism, motor retardation, mental retardation, and anhedonia. These symptoms can often be combined with symptoms of anxiety disorders (Liang et al., 2019). In this case, a person’s emotional states can switch from restlessness, worry, and tension to despondency and sadness, thus significantly reducing his or her life satisfaction and ability to function.

The course of panic disorder, in contrast to the GAD, has a sudden and intense nature, although the emotions experienced by the patient are on the same spectrum. According to Stein and Sareen (2015), “in panic disorder, anxiety is marked by abrupt, unexpected, transient episodes of fear and physical symptoms” (p. 2060). These episodes are called panic attacks and occur during particularly stressful events or periods. They can also have a substantial impact on the single parent’s working performance and social contacts as well as on the child-rearing process. Particularly severe cases, especially those with symptoms of several divergent mental disorders, require medical and psychological intervention.

Researchers note that the GAD mainly arising in people under stressful circumstances, such as single parenthood, can also be associated with physical symptoms. They may include “headaches, muscle tension, gastrointestinal symptoms, back pain, and insomnia” (Stein & Sareen, 2015, p. 2061). Pain and deficient quality and duration of sleep can lead to constant physical fatigue and exhaustion and severe cardiovascular diseases. Besides, neurophysiological studies reveal alterations in the operation of neural networks consisting of decreased activation in the prefrontal cortex and increased activation of some parts of the limbic system, including the amygdala (Stein & Sareen, 2015, p. 2061). The limbic system is an older structure of the brain, and the amygdala is responsible in particular for experiencing fear and anxiety. At the same time, the prefrontal cortex is the youngest department of the brain associated with higher cognitive functions, decision-making, and social behavior. Thus, the human organism adapts to the constant stress experience even on the neurophysiological level.

The health of single parents is a particular social concern, as the well-being of their offspring also depends on them. It should be pointed out that the GAD increases the risk of psychological and physical health problems, which may affect the family welfare and environment. Since the prevalence of single parenthood has a significant upward trend, this issue should be addressed by the government and healthcare professionals.

People become single parents due to various circumstances that subsequently affect the social conditions of the family. Depending on this, the GAD may occur with different degrees of intensity and have an unequal impact. According to Coles (2015), about 4% of all children in the US live in father-only households, and about 23% live in single-mother households (p. 146). The author notes that “women will more likely attend to primary and daily parenting tasks, such as feeding, dressing, and emotional nurturance of children, whereas men will attend to play activities and financial provision” (Coles, 2015, p. 163). Consequently, different types of families may have unequal problems and concerns. For instance, it might be more challenging for single fathers to perform daily childcare and emotional communication responsibilities, and the woman might face financial difficulties. The GAD can exacerbate these problems and cause emotional and physical abuse in single-father households or the single mother’s inability to cope with the demand of earning the family’s living.

It should be stated that financial constraints are typical for single-parent families. According to Whisenhunt et al. (2019), “in 2009, 28.3% of all single-parent households lived in poverty” (p. 190). In this case, the feeling of constant anxiety and restlessness can become a serious aggravating factor, as the thoughts about the need to maintain life for the child may be particularly frightening. Moreover, if the GAD causes any physical symptoms, such as headaches and insomnia, the parent may need medical attention. It, in turn, may require certain expenses, causing additional financial burdens. Thus, the issue of financial status is the most significant in this regard, even in connection with the development of GAD in a single parent.

Furthermore, a significant social factor of the influence of the GAD on single parents is their relationships with other people. Single parents are generally either divorced or never married, and less frequently, they are widowed, separated, or their spouse is absent (Coles, 2015). Consequently, they may have increased anxiety associated with a romantic relationship or lack thereof. The desire for a complete family and traumatic relationship experience may be an additional stress factor and be part of the GAD anxiety. Besides, researchers note that single-parent families are subject to frequent social stigmatization, which can cause parents to feel disadvantaged and inferior (Whisenhunt et al., 2019). In this situation, the GAD symptoms may become more acute and lead to other mental disorders. These psychological states can cause difficulties in building new relationships and an increase in the number of single-parent families on a societal scale.

Impact on Children

It is evident that GAD’s occurrence in a single parent almost inevitably impacts the process of child maturation. Studies indicate that children raised in single-parent families experience more considerable psychological distress, exhibit less academic performance, and may have poorer adult outcomes in areas such as employment, marital status, and income (Woessmann, 2015). Moreover, there is evidence that “children of anxious parents have an elevated risk of having an anxiety disorder” (Ginsburg et al., 2015, p. 1207). Consequently, the GAD symptoms can be inherited by children and cause similar life problems in their adulthood. A parent’s constantly oppressed condition can be a traumatic childhood experience that affects his or her perception of the world. This problem is becoming increasingly urgent, as studies indicate that about 10% of American adolescents and children have symptoms that meet the criteria for anxiety disorders (Ginsburg et al., 2015). Meanwhile, children in single-parent families are more vulnerable in this regard.

A characteristic feature of single parents with the GAD may be the strategies of overcontrol and overprotection of the child. In this case, the child may be deprived of the necessary level of independence, freedom in decision-making and worldview formation, and not gain valuable life experience. This may lead to a lack of socialization and coping skills in the child, resulting in adverse consequences in his or her later social and working life. The opposite situation is also possible if the GAD symptoms in a single parent are incredibly intense and have a substantial impact on his or her functioning. For example, if pain, insomnia, and fatigue prevent a parent from adequately caring for the child and earning a living for the family, the child may be traumatized and take over some of the parental responsibilities. This can lead to the development of the sense of responsibility and problem-solving skills in the child, but also a feeling of insecurity and vulnerability in the world.

Conclusion

It may be concluded that GAD’s occurrence in a single parent can have extremely negative consequences, which depend on a number of social, psychological, and other factors. The voluntary nature of single parenthood, the absence of gene–environmental presets, financial well-being, and the absence of childhood traumatic experiences may contribute to the absence of a dangerous influence of GAD symptoms on family life. At the same time, unintended pregnancy, single parenthood due to divorce or widowhood, psychological problems, and financial difficulties can lead to several unfavorable effects. These may include mental and physical health problems, increased anxiety for the child, inability to provide for the family, overcontrol and overprotection of the child and others. Due to the increasing number of single-parent families, this issue deserves the close attention of the government and health care representatives.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, Fifth edition. American Psychiatric Association Publishing.

Coles, R. L. (2015). Single‐father families: A review of the literature. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 7(2), 144-166.

Ginsburg, G. S., Drake, K. L., Tein, J. Y., Teetsel, R., & Riddle, M. A. (2015). Preventing onset of anxiety disorders in offspring of anxious parents: a randomized controlled trial of a family-based intervention. American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(12), 1207-1214.

Gottschalk, M. G., & Domschke, K. (2017). Genetics of generalized anxiety disorder and related traits. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 19(2), 159-168.

Liang, L. A., Berger, U., & Brand, C. (2019). Psychosocial factors associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress among single mothers with young children: A population-based study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 242, 255-264.

Stein, M. B., & Sareen, J. (2015). Generalized anxiety disorder. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(21), 2059-2068.

Whisenhunt, J. L., Chang, C. Y., Parrish, M. S., & Carter, J. R. (2019). Addressing single parents’ needs in professional counseling: A qualitative examination of single parenthood. The Family Journal, 27(2), 188-198.

Woessmann, L. (2015). An international look at the single-parent family. Education Next, 15(2), 42-49.

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