Peer-reviewed article
Psychological Stress, Support Systems, and Family Dynamics Among Single Mothers and their Children
Nikhil Renjini ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This descriptive mixed-method study looked at stress, social support, coping and family relationships among 28 single mothers and their children. Mothers reported very high levels of financial pressure, sole parenting responsibility, anxiety and loneliness. Children reported frequent worry about their mothers' stress, and also frequent closeness to their mothers and comfort in sharing feelings. The authors conclude that heavy maternal burden can exist alongside strong mother-child bonds, and they recommend family-sensitive support that combines psychological help with practical measures.
Key points
- Financial pressure (99%) and work-life/personal mental-health balance difficulties (99%) were very highly endorsed by mothers.
- 98% reported sole parenting responsibility and anxiety/guilt about time and resources; 97% endorsed loneliness.
- External support was rated moderate by 60% and excellent by 40%.
- 49% of mothers reported family/friends as a coping route, while 50% reported internalising or privately managing stress.
- 99% of children reported very frequent concern about maternal stress and 99% reported very frequent closeness and support from their mothers; 92% reported very frequent comfort sharing feelings.
Limitations
The sample is very small (28 mothers and their children) and the study is descriptive, so it cannot show causes or be generalised. The country or setting is not stated in the abstract, and the questionnaire was self-reported, so no conclusions can be drawn about specific places or about the effect of any intervention.
Abstract
Single mothers may simultaneously manage income generation, household responsibilities, parenting, decision-making and emotional support. The present descriptive mixed-method study examined psychological stress, social support, coping mechanisms and mother-child family dynamics among 28 single mothers and their children. The study used a supplied questionnaire consisting of demographic items, five-point mother-reported stress and well-being items, social-support and coping questions, open-ended responses, and a child questionnaire addressing emotional well-being and household dynamics. The recorded findings showed very high endorsement of financial pressure (99%), work-life/personal mental-health balance (99%), sole parenting responsibility (98%), and anxiety/guilt regarding time and resources (98%); loneliness was also highly endorsed (97%). External support was rated moderate by 60% and excellent by 40%. Family/friends were reported as a coping route by 49%, while 50% reported internalising or privately managing stress. From the child perspective, 99% reported very frequent concern about maternal stress and 99% reported very frequent closeness and support from their mothers; 92% reported very frequent comfort in sharing feelings or problems. The findings indicate that substantial maternal burden can coexist with strong mother-child emotional bonds. The study supports family-sensitive interventions that combine psychological support with practical childcare, financial guidance, flexible work arrangements and accessible community networks.