The impact of father absence on child mental health

three possible outcomes

Andrew Briggs

pp. 67-85

in: Roger Kingerlee, Martin Seager, Luke Sullivan (eds), The Palgrave handbook of male psychology and mental health, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2019

Abstract

This chapter is about absent fathers. Drawing upon clinical material it discusses three mental health outcomes for children and young people when their fathers are absent from their parenting. Focusing on ADHD, self-harm and sexually inappropriate behaviour the chapter highlights how these derive from the relationship the child or young person has with the mother as the single parent. The chapter concerns a particular type of relationship some single mothers have with their children. It is not a chapter about all single mothers.