A pilot study on stress and support sources of single mothers in Turkey

The purpose of this study was to investigate the specific stress-producing experiences encountered by single parents. Additionally, the perceived sources of support among the participants were sought. Twenty-five single mothers were telephone interviewed using semi-structured questions. The results suggested that financial problems, problems related to absence of fathers’ in children's lives, role overload, cultural attitudes toward widowhood and concerns over effective parenting were the most frequently expressed problems. The participants viewed one's own extended family members, friends, ex-spouses and relatives as the most important sources of financial, social, and emotional support.