The study of parenting stress and social support among African American mothers

This study examined the relationship between parenting stress and social support among single and married African American mothers with elementary school-aged children. Participants included 86 African American mothers from North Carolina over the age of 18 with biological children between the ages of 5-9. Participants were administered the Parenting Stress Index Short Form, Sarason's Social Support Questionnaire and a demographic survey developed for the study. T test determined whether significant differences existed between the single and married mothers parenting stress and social support scores. Two-way ANOVA determined if significant differences existed between the two groups of mothers parenting stress and social support scores based on income, education and employment status. Regression analysis measured whether social support network size and perception of satisfaction with social support network predicted parenting stress in the mothers. The results revealed single mothers had more parenting stress than married mothers did. Both groups of mothers had the same number of people in their social support network, however, married mothers revealed being fairly satisfied with their social support network compared to single mothers who reported being a little satisfied. The study did reveal a significant difference between the two groups of mothers parenting stress scores based on income. The study used four income categories (15,000 less, 15,001-25,000, 25001-35,000, 35,001 more); single mothers parenting stress scores were higher than married mothers scores in two income categories. Lastly, the study revealed the mothers size of their social support network and perceived satisfaction with their social support network did predict parenting stress in the mothers.