Stress factors and difficulties associated with child care experienced by single mothers with pre-school children

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K20738
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Lifelong developmental nursing
• Research Institution: Nagano College of Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Sasaki Mika 長野県看護大学, 看護学部, 助教 (80620062)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 未就学児をもつシングルマザー / 育児ストレス / 蓄積疲労 / 育児上の困難

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to clarify stress factors and difficulties associated with child care experienced by single mothers with pre-school children. To this end, we conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey on child care stress and accumulated fatigue. We also conducted semi-structured interviews regarding difficulties with daily life, along with stress resulting from the difficulties, with single mothers who agreed to participate. We found that the background of single mothers was a factor that worsened child care stress and accumulated fatigue, and that difficulties in daily life led to anxiety and pressure regarding child care. Our findings suggest the need to consider approaches for specialists who interact with single mothers to provide comprehensive support.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学