Caring without Sharing: how single parents worked and cared during the pandemic

This article examines the impact of combined work and family responsibilities on single parent employees. Data were collected on a written questionnaire from 293 employees parent and nonparent single and married of a large New England corporation. Results indicate that parent employees but particularly single female parents were at risk for high job-family role strain and reduced levels of well being. In spite of increased strain however single parents exhibited high levels of job satisfaction and no significant differences in absenteeism. Single female parents experience the greatest amount of difficulty with their situation not because of their marital/parental status but because that status leaves them at highest risk for high role strain which is the major factor related to decreased emotional well-being. Single male parents however possibly because they do not have their children living with them full-time do not evidence the same level of work and family related stress that the other parent categories do. Single male parents spent the greatest number of hours at work had the highest salary levels and had the lowest levels of depression of all categories. The lower well-being of single female parent employees appears to be related primarily to high levels of job-family role strain the result for the most part of spending an average of 75 hours per week trying to balance both job and family responsibilities with little financial or emotional assistance. Less than 20% of the group studied conformed to the traditional model of husband at work and wife at home. As women become more of a force in the labor market and as mens home responsibilities increase companies will need to provide creative family support benefit packages to compete successfully in the job market.

This study hypothesized that family role (marital and parental status) would moderate the effect of disaster exposure on the mental health of victims. The study included St. Louis residents exposed to floods and dioxin, as well as Puerto Rican respondents exposed to floods and mudslides. In St. Louis, worst outcomes were found for single and married parents exposed to disaster, substantially exceeding the symptomatology of all unexposed respondents except non‐victim single parents. In Puerto Rico, victims without families had higher levels of alcohol abuse symptoms than did any other subgroup. Perceived emotional support was found to be an important moderator of disaster's effect on psychiatric distress in this site, generally overriding the effect of family role. Single parents in both sites who were exposed to disaster had substantially reduced levels of emotional support available to them, as compared to unexposed single parents, suggesting that single parents are at particularly high risk for losing access to emotional support following a disaster. This study suggests that both single and married parents constitute important high‐risk victim groups. The findings also suggest that those perceiving they lack adequate emotional support, regardless of family role, may be in special need of services.

Single parents are parents consisting of a father and mother who are ready to carry out their duties with full responsibility as a single parent. Parenting styles play a very important role in determining a child's level of intelligence because every parent wants intelligent children, for example by getting high grades for their lessons at school. The aim of this research is to analyze the relationship between single parent parenting and children's intelligence in Sidrap Regency. This research method is quantitative with a cross sectional approach. This research was carried out in 2 areas, namely at SD Negeri 14 and SD Negeri 17 Sidrap Regency in September-October 2023. The sampling technique used in this research was purposive sampling using the Chi-square test. The results of research on democratic single parent parenting showed good child intelligence (40.0%). Based on the chi-square test, a p-value of 0.029 <0.05 was obtained. From these results it can be concluded that there is a relationship between single parent parenting and children's intelligence in Sidrap Regency.

The pattern of single mother parenting has a difference with a family that is still intact, which of course will affect the development of children's independence. The purpose of the research is to explore the parenting patterns carried out by single parents, the obstacles faced by single parents in forming child independence, the efforts of single parents in fulfilling the rights of children and their environment, as well as parenting tips for single parents. The research method uses a descriptive qualitative approach. The subjects of this study are two single mothers who have children aged 5-6 years. Data collection techniques by observation, interviews and documentation. The research analysis uses interactive model analysis. The results of the study show that the parenting style provided by single mothers in shaping children's independence is a single parent parenting practice that applies a democratic parenting style, and a permissive parenting style. Children raised with democratic parenting have high independence while children raised with authoritarian parenting have less independence. Children's independence is also influenced by several factors, namely parental education, economy, employment, environment and religion in fulfilling children's rights is to build a good and harmonious relationship with children.

Social emotional development is one of the important aspects of development that must be prioritized in learning in early childhood. The formulation of the problem in this study is How is single parent parenting in developing the social-emotional development of children aged 4-5 years at RA Bustanul 'Ulum Jayasakti Kec. Anak Tuha, Kab. Lampung Tengah? This study aims to explore and analyze single parent parenting patterns and their impact on the social emotional development of children aged 4-5 years at RA Bustanul 'Ulum Jayasakti. Using a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with single parents and observations of children's behavior, this study attempts to describe the variations of parenting patterns applied and identify the developmental characteristics of children from this group. The results of the study highlighted the complexity of single-parent parenting that has an impact on the diverse social-emotional characters of children. The findings show that children from single parent families exhibit varied characteristics, such as different levels of independence, adaptability to the social environment, and responses to educational stimuli. Thus, this study not only makes a theoretical contribution to the literature on parenting and child development, but also has a significant practical impact in the context of early childhood education and care from single parent families. Keywords: Parenting, Single Parent, Social Emotional

Little is known about the family-related stress and postdeployment adjustment of single versus partnered parents deployed in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This study examined exposure to family-related stressors during and after deployment, as well as postdeployment psychological symptoms in a national sample of 318 single (n = 74) and partnered (n = 244) parent veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Results demonstrated that single parents experienced higher levels of concern about life and family disruptions during deployment, lower levels of social support during and after deployment, and poorer postdeployment family functioning than partnered parents. Single parents also reported higher posttraumatic stress symptom severity, but not depression or anxiety symptom severity, compared with partnered parents. Family-related stressors demonstrated different associations with mental health for single and partnered parents, suggesting that some stressor-symptom relations may be more salient for single parents, and others may be more salient for partnered parents. Findings suggest that the deployment and postdeployment experiences of parents differ based on their partnered status, which has implications for the design and provision of services to single and partnered parents.

The study examined multiple factors related to satisfactory post-divorce adjustment of 204 single custodial parents. One hundred eighty-seven women and seventeen men were administered four instruments: Fisher Divorce Adjustment Scale; General Well Being Schedule; Single Parent Questionnaire; and a Single Parent Interview developed for the study. A survey format with delivery and pick up of test packets at participants' homes was used. Multiple regression statistical analysis was conducted. Findings indicate the strongest single predictor of divorce adjustment was the custodial parent's own subjective sense of well-being. Other significant factors included sense of social status and economic position, initiating the divorce, quantity and quality of friends, and employment satisfaction. Two other factors significant in a general equation were single parenting skills and overall relationship with the noncustodial parent.

This study focused on single parenting among women in Nigeria, specifically in the Kosofe, Surulere, Shomolu, and Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Areas in Lagos State. The study used Talcott Parsons’ Structural Functionalism Theory and John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory to explore the perspectives on single parenting and its impact on child mental health. The objectives of the study included examining parent-child relationships, perceptions of single parenting’s influence on child mental health, factors affecting single parents’ roles, and measures to support child mental health. The research design was descriptive and cross-sectional, and data were collected from 384 adults aged 18 years and above using questionnaires. Additionally, 10 in-depth interviews with single parents and 5 key informant interviews with mental health professionals were conducted. The findings revealed that majority of the female respondents (71.3%) aged 20-29 years were single parents. Also, 56.3% emphasize the critical role of parental bonds in child’s mental functioning. Qualitative insights underscore the impact of parental absence and caregiving quality on emotional security. Perceptions of single parenting at the quantitative phase reveal societal stigma and challenges, with 39.5% who perceived single parents as victims of oppression and 43% facing social stigma attached to single parenting. A significant majority (92.1%) strongly agree that positive parenting enhances children’s behaviour. Qualitative findings delve into the complexities of societal attitudes towards single parents. Factors influencing single parents’ roles include income instability, ethnic background, unemployment, and inadequate support systems. Both qualitative and quantitative data elucidate these factors. Measures to support children’s mental health in single parenting encompass adequate provision for the child, a quality environment, good family relationships, community support systems, social assistance, social networks, and professional assistance. The study concludes that adequate parenting is critical for child mental health, and advocated for timely interventions, awareness campaigns, and necessary support for single parents

Single parenthood is stigmatized, and the current research clarifies how beliefs about agency and communion correspond to this stigma. Consistent with social role theory, the agency and communion ascribed to parents should reflect their success in meeting the demands of parental roles. Yet, the association of single parents with lower socioeconomic status than married parents likely compromises confidence that single parents can fulfill their parental role obligations and, therefore, lowers their perceived agency and communion. To test this account of beliefs about single parents, four experiments ( N = 1003) used multiple methods and samples to examine participants’ beliefs about single and married parents and the psychological links between marital status, socioeconomic status, and the ascription of agency and communion. In general, participants ascribed less agency and communion to single than married parents but not to single parents described as high in socioeconomic status (well-educated and financially well-off).

This study aims to find out how the educational development of students for the expectations of single parents. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study design, the subject of this research is a 16-year-old male who has a single parent due to divorce. Collecting data using the method of observation, interviews and documentation. The results of research on the subject showed that single parent parenting uses parenting and has an impact on the inability to control oneself and unfavorable behavior. Subjects find it very difficult to endure laziness, violate school rules by skipping class, disturbing friends, not doing assignments, not paying attention to lessons, and giving up easily when facing difficulties and not willing to try and lack fighting power.

Untouched by the harsh realities, adolescent’s life is said to be the golden period. The primary source of strength in shaping the development of adolescents’ life is the home environment. However, it is doubtful, whether single parent or dual parents’ adolescence has better competence development. The present study is to understand the association and difference between the home environment and psychosocial competency among adolescents with single and dual parents. For the present quantitative study, a sample of 63 (both male and female) was taken, comprising of 31 adolescents with a single-parent and 32 adolescents with dual-parents with a mean age of the participants (M=16.69; SD= 1.26) from different government senior secondary schools of Assam through purposive sampling technique. Home environment scale and psychosocial competency scale was used to collect data. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 23 via correlation and t-test. The study portrayed a significant difference between the adolescents with single and dual parents, where dimensions of home environment such as protectiveness, punishment, reward, and nurturance were and dimensions of psychosocial competence such as creative thinking, coping with emotion and coping with stress were found to be lower for single-parent adolescents. Better quality of the home atmosphere is essential that prepares adolescents to deal with the demands and hassles of the modern societies, thereby, leading to a healthier adjustment.

Independence is an important thing that needs to be instilled in children from an early age. With children who are accustomed to being independent since childhood, they will carry over into adulthood. Independence in children can be influenced by parenting applied by parents. Single parents have multiple roles that make it difficult to share time with their children. With the use of inappropriate parenting by single parents, it can lead to less than optimal independence in children. This study aims to describe the independence of early childhood with democratic single parent parenting. This study uses a qualitative approach, which was carried out in Segati Village with 3 single mothers with 5 year old children as informants. This research data collection using documentation, observation and interviews. Data analysis with the stages of reduction, presentation and conclusion. The results showed that single parent parents who have multiple roles by applying democratic parenting can instill independence in children from a young age more optimally.
 Keywords: Independence, children, democratic parenting, single parent

This research is done on the students at twelfth grade at MAN Cililin Bandung. The researcher feels interesting to investigate the comparison of study achievement between the students who have single parent and the students who have complete parent. According to the teacher of guidance and counseling, there is a problem in academic achievement for the students who have a single parent. This research uses the study comparison to know the achievement comparison of the students who have single or complete parents. The research uses the quantitative method and uses comparison analysis. The sample uses non random purposive sampling and simple random sampling. The tool of measurement uses the report score. The result of data analysis shows that pvalue is lower than α. It means that  Ho is rejected and H1 is accepted. There is the differences between the students who have single parent and the students who have complete parent.

While there has been considerable interest in the problems of single parent families, no study has yet determined if the problems are due to increased risk of specific psychiatric disorders in single parents as compared to their married counterparts. Data collected as part of the National Institute of Mental Health Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) Project are presented to compare the psychiatric as well as economic and social functioning of single vs. married parent women ages 18–44, based on a probability sample of members of the greater New Haven community. The major finding between groups is their relative similarity in psychiatric as well as social functioning. The major difference is economic. Single parents, both Black and White, more frequently are less educated and poorer. While many are on welfare, single compared to married female parents are more likely to be working and to report insufficient income to meet their needs. There are no appreciable differences in social contacts, use of health services or six-month prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders including major depression, alcohol or drug abuse. The data suggest that the problems faced by single parent women and their children may be a reflection of poverty and stress in families and not of psychiatric disorders or poor social relations in mothers.

Single-parent military families experience a combination of stressors from single-parenthood and the military lifestyle. Single military parents experience more role conflict between their job requirements and their family care expectations, which increases their risk for psychological distress. This study examined the impact of military life-related stressors on psychological distress among single parents in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) who had dependent children 19 years old and younger (N = 552). Results demonstrated that being a primary caregiver for a child increased occupational stress and work–family conflict. Further, occupational and parental stressors, as well as work–family conflict, were associated with more psychological distress, whereas parental strain and work–family conflict predicted psychological distress. In addition, work–family conflict was found to mediate the paths between parental strain and deployment-related stress and psychological distress. Recommendations are offered for mitigating the impact of military life-related stress on single parents.