Telling them like it is: The role of economic and environmental factors in single mothers' discussions with their children

Uses interview data from a sample of 155 single mothers of at least one child between the ages of 10 and 17 to assess the impact of financial strain and welfare status (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) on three areas of maternal functioning: (a) belief in the appropriateness of telling children about family problems, (b) disclosure of financial matters and personal worries to children, and (c) curbing of children's material consumption and social experiences as a strategy to ease financial strain. Also examined whether other environmental conditions (i.e., negative life events, social support), demographic factors, and mothers' mental health account for significant variation in these three outcomes once financial strain and welfare status are taken into account. Financial strain, but not welfare status, was a significant predictor of all three dependent variables. Age of child, number of children in the household who