Understanding how education/support groups help lone mothers

Abstract

BackgroundLone-mother led families are at increased risk of psychosocial disadvantage, social isolation and mental health morbidity. Community-based programs are more accessible for families seeking assistance. We examine the experiences of eight lone mothers participating in a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a community-based education/support group program using mixed methods.MethodsA purposeful sample of eight mothers participating in the intervention arm of an RCT of community-based support/education groups was selected for the qualitative study. Individual interviews asked mothers about themselves and their relationships with their children before and after the group. Interviews were taped, transcribed and content analysis was used to code and interpret the data. Quantitative data collected in the RCT were used to describe these mothers.ResultsMothers participating in the RCT and qualitative study experienced multiple difficulties, including financial and mood problems. These mothers reported that before participating in the group, they had shared experiences of social isolation, stigma, a sense of failure, poor relationships with their children and difficulties with financial management. After the group, mothers identified improved self-esteem, support from other mothers, improved parenting skills and improved communication with their children as outcomes of group participation.ConclusionsThe qualitative data revealed mothers' perceptions of specific areas that improved by participating in the group. The utility of complementary information provided by qualitative and quantitative methods in understanding program impact, as well as the need for broader assistance is noted.

Rethinking family‐centred care for the child and family in hospital

“…Improved self‐esteem, parenting skills and communication with children are some of the additional benefits to mothers who meet in groups regularly, outside the home (Lipman et al . ). On the other hand, frequent residential moves associated with relative poverty and housing stress are known to be a cause of social isolation which is a significant disadvantage for children (Dockery et al …”

“…Research findings show that extended family support, also considered a source of social capital, is associated with an increased sense of maternal confidence and mastery, particularly in younger mothers (Surjadi et al 2011). Improved self-esteem, parenting skills and communication with children are some of the additional benefits to mothers who meet in groups regularly, outside the home (Lipman et al 2010). On the other hand, frequent residential moves associated with relative poverty and housing stress are known to be a cause of social isolation which is a significant disadvantage for children (Dockery et al 2009).…”

Does Lone Motherhood Decrease Women’s Happiness? Evidence from Qualitative and Quantitative Research

“…First, previous studies did not separate out the effect of being single from the effect of having a child, despite evidence that having a partner is an important determinant of psychological well-being (Dolan et al 2008). Second, the available quantitative studies failed to control for a selection of particularly vulnerable women into the group of single mothers, even though it has been demonstrated that women with adverse childhood experiences-and who are, therefore, susceptible to depression-are overrepresented among lone mothers (Davies et al 1997;Lipman et al 2010). Both failures might have led to an overestimation of the negative impact of having a child on single mothers' well-being.…”

Maximising the value of combining qualitative research and randomised controlled trials in health research: the QUAlitative Research in Trials (QUART) study – a mixed methods study

“…In the article by Dowrick et al, 46 the exploration of the perceived benefits relating to the management of medically unexplained symptoms identified its potential value as a transferable skill in the management of chronic illness. In the article by Lipman et al, 48 the exploration of benefits was understood in the context of the lives of the trial participants (lone mothers), the qualitative work undertaken during the trial therefore had the potential to increase understanding of the needs of this group. Finally, data collected relating to the ways in which participants experience benefits from a trial intervention may be used to illustrate quantitative findings and give them more immediacy, or they may be used to explore contradictory findings in the trial outcomes, such as high satisfaction scores alongside small changes in other measured outcomes.…”