Childhood family structure and offspring health in adulthood. Special focus on health behaviours, morbidity and health-related quality of life
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
the auditorium Tiera of the Santasport Olympic Training Center, Hiihtomajantie 2, Rovaniemi
Topic of the dissertation
Childhood family structure and offspring health in adulthood. Special focus on health behaviours, morbidity and health-related quality of life
Doctoral candidate
Licentiate of Medicine Heidi Varis
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Population Health
Subject of study
Medicine
Opponent
Docent Silja Kosola, University of Helsinki and Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County
Custos
Professor Sirkka Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi, University of Oulu
Childhood family structure and offspring health in adulthood
The childhood living environment plays an important role in the growth and well-being of the offspring. A stable environment and care provided by parents and other family members are especially beneficial for promoting growth and well-being. Family structures in which both parents live in the same household with their offspring have generally been found to be associated with more favorable growth and well-being of the offspring. Unexpected life events, such as divorce or the death of a parent, can alter the family structure and potentially contribute to the child’s growth, as well as their long-term health and well-being. However, population-level life course research on this topic remains limited.
The aim of the doctoral thesis was to assess the long-term associations between childhood family structure and factors related to offspring’s health in adulthood—up to the age of 46—measured by health behaviors, morbidity, and health-related quality of life.
The doctoral research found an association between living in a single-parent family and adult lifestyle habits, morbidity, and reduced health-related quality of life. Offspring who lived in single-parent families were more likely to smoke and consume excessive amounts of alcohol between the ages of 31 and 46 compared to those from two-parent families. The lifetime prevalence of diseases and health problems was also higher among offspring from single-parent families, and at the age of 46, they were more than one and a half times more likely to experience significantly reduced health-related quality of life compared to offspring from two-parent families.
The study is based on the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 data. The findings indicate that childhood family structure is associated with offspring health and well-being well into middle age. Parents in single-parent families should be offered financial support and means to promote health-enhancing lifestyles and overall health in their children.
The aim of the doctoral thesis was to assess the long-term associations between childhood family structure and factors related to offspring’s health in adulthood—up to the age of 46—measured by health behaviors, morbidity, and health-related quality of life.
The doctoral research found an association between living in a single-parent family and adult lifestyle habits, morbidity, and reduced health-related quality of life. Offspring who lived in single-parent families were more likely to smoke and consume excessive amounts of alcohol between the ages of 31 and 46 compared to those from two-parent families. The lifetime prevalence of diseases and health problems was also higher among offspring from single-parent families, and at the age of 46, they were more than one and a half times more likely to experience significantly reduced health-related quality of life compared to offspring from two-parent families.
The study is based on the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 data. The findings indicate that childhood family structure is associated with offspring health and well-being well into middle age. Parents in single-parent families should be offered financial support and means to promote health-enhancing lifestyles and overall health in their children.
Last updated: 25.9.2025