Stress, Support, and Antisocial Behavior Trait as Determinants of Emotional Well-Being and Parenting Practices among Single Mothers

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Abstract
There is rather strong evidence that single mothers are at greater risk for psychological problems and ineffectual parenting than those who are married. Using a sample of 209 recently divorced women, the present study tested a model of the causes of variations in functioning between single parents. Overall, the findings suggest that there are two routes to poor adjustment among single parents. The first consists of the ramifications of inadequate resources, whereas the second involves the consequences of an antisocial orientation. Single mothers with little education had low access to social network support and those who were under severe economic pressure reported both high exposure to negative events and low social support. Negative life events and inadequate social support, in turn, were associated with psychological distress and the use of ineffectual parenting practices. Antisocial behavior trait was adversely related to quality of parenting, and indirectly influenced level of psychological distress through its positive relationship with economic strain and negative events.