Single-parent families with adolescents: parents' perspectives of their personal and parenting experiences
Date
2018-08-02
Authors
Hamilton, Sandra Jean
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Abstract
A descriptive research methodology based on the
principles of symbolic interactionism was employed to explore
and explicate the meaning of experience of single-parenting
with adolescents. Prior research has indicated that single-mothers
experience more psychological and emotional problems
than two-parent mothers, and that adolescents from single-parent
families have more behavioural, emotional, and academic
problems than adolescents from two-parent families. However,
recent studies have reported that family processes, such as
parent-adolescent relationships and parenting styles, rather
than the family form itself are more strongly related to how
adolescents adapt in single-parent families. As well, the
meaning of the economic, social, and family challenges faced
by single-parents affects their psychological well-being and
their parenting abilities.
Single-parents (n=16) were interviewed twice using an
interview guide which comprised the basic conceptual domains
of the study. These domains were challenges to single-parents
and their families, supports needed, family structures and
processes, parenting issues, parents' perceptions of their
adolescents' adjustment, and the single-parent "self". Other
data sources were utilized to triangulate the data to add
depth and credibility. Means of triangulation included a
focus group (n=10), interviews with adolescents (n=6), and
interviews with key informants (n=5) who encounter a broad
range of single-parent families through their professional
affiliations.
Theoretical and developmental perspectives drawn upon to
inform and organize the data were Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological
model, Kegan's constructive-developmental theory,
and Baumrind's typology of parenting styles. The common
challenges experienced by the participants identified by a
thematic analysis of the data were increased responsibilities,
means of coping with increased demands, the other parent,
social isolation, negative social expectations, financial
constraints, and extenuating circumstances related to
adolescents' learning, behavioural, or health problems. The
challenges that single-parents face and their resources
available to buffer the effects of these challenges can be
conceptualized using Bronfenbrenner's social-ecological model.
This transactional model enables the assessment of families in
relation to challenges and supports from both proximal and
distal environments which may affect the families' strengths,
vulnerabilities, and development.
The participants described a process of development
through which they redefined their roles and relationships,
reorganized their families' internal and external supports,
and re-established a social role. Resolution of these
processes led to a transformation of their identities and a
more differentiated way of constructing meaning of their
situation as single-parents. This transformation affected the
parents' capability to mediate their families' functioning and
to meet the culture's demands of parents (Kegan, 1994), for
example to manage family boundaries, set limits, and
facilitate development.
The results have implications for how we understand
single-parent families. The more positive portrait of single-parenting
painted by these participants illustrated that
despite challenges and risks, single-parent families are a
viable family form capable of raising adolescents effectively.
Prevention of such problems as adolescent alienation and risk
lie in strengthening supportive family relationships and
community networks to counterbalance the impact of ongoing
challenges. Clinical approaches should assist single-parents
to realign family roles and structures, to integrate their
internal and external resources, and to develop a positive
single-parent identity. Affirmation of the single-parent
family as a legitimate and viable family form enables single-parents
to challenge negative stereotypes that can minimize
their ability to function effectively. Recommendations for
further research include exploration of the adolescents'
perspectives of growing up in a single-parent family, and also
exploration of single-fathers' perspectives.
Description
Keywords
Single-parent families, Children of divorced parents