Family Structure Diversity and Youth Health Care Access and Interactions With Health Care Providers

Abstract

Using data from the 2019 National Survey of Children’s Health, we evaluated family structure differences in youth health care access and experiences. We found youth living with their married biological/adoptive parents generally had greater health care access than youth living in structurally diverse families. Differences, however, varied based on which aspect of health care access was examined and the specific types of structurally diverse families youth were living in. Youth living in single-father and other relative-headed families showed the most consistent differences in health care access from youth living with their married biological/adoptive parents. In terms of health care experiences, youth living in several structurally diverse families were more likely to have had time alone with health care providers. Furthermore, there were differences in family-centered care, but the effect size and magnitude of the differences were small.