Investigating the Effect of Coping Strategies and Resilience Towards Stress Among Single Mothers in Terengganu, Malaysia

Introduction

Single mothers have been a part of the community for a long time; however, it has been quite a discussion regarding women and families. The community is accustomed to discussing more single mothers than single fathers (Choi, 2010; Choi & Jackson, 2011; Doherty & Craft, 2011). The status of a single mother presents a great challenge for these women to go on with a life they have never imagined. Single mothers encounter numerous daily conflicts, including stigma, the community, self or role conflicts, and complications with their children and families. Normally after a divorce or separation, single mothers tend to gain more responsibilities that were once shared with their partners rather than single fathers. It indirectly causes single mothers to take on double roles and may cause more pressure (Abd Hamid & Salleh, 2013). Single mothers manage their families, juggle their family's finances, and monitor their children’s development, education, and whereabouts (Avelar et al., 2014). Issues arise when a spouse is left with children due to divorce, as they must raise them independently. Their status and family structure have changed, which may cause them to change their roles in the family (Nichols, 2010).

When losing a husband, the single mother loses hope and a partner who provides support, love, security and the person who makes her feel special (Anindya & Sartika, 2018). Separation causes single mothers’ thoughts and emotions to feel disturbed (Samuels-Dennis et al., 2010). Single mothers experience anxiety, fear and stress (Crosier et al., 2007). They also experience stress (Parkes 1984). Kamaruddin et al. (2016) stated that psychological issues among single mothers experience anxiety and depression due to a lack of emotional and social support from their families. These feelings are normal, however excessive, and prolonged anxiety and fear do not benefit them. Besides that, they may experience prolonged depression, loneliness, loss of appetite, nocturnal disturbances and fear of facing the community that would interfere with their daily lives (Dagang et al., 2022; Dunn, 2015). The phenomenon of single mothers, such as anxiety, fear, stress, and trauma, requires not only a process of emotional adjustment (Cairney & Wade, 2002; Wade & Cairney, 2000) but also adjustments to play new roles and responsibilities in dealing with the status (Avelar et al., 2014; Dunn, 2015).

Hence, in the emotional and role adjustment process, as stated by Cairney & Wade (2002) and Wade & Cairney (2000), single mothers need emotional, physical and spiritual support. Previous studies showed the absence of physical and emotional support, and divorced mothers experience more pressure than married mothers (Cooper et al., 2009). Due to tension, single mothers normally experience more pressure than married mothers (Cairney et al., 2003). Who exactly is a single mother has been a question that led many researchers to understand this group (Abd Hamid & Salleh, 2013; Avelar et al., 2014; Baharudin et al., 2011; Dharatun Nissa, 2017; Mustari et al., 2006; Najwa, 2005; Talib et al., 2020; Williams, 2013; Zabkiewicz, 2010). According to Topimin et al. (2015), there are several single mothers’ categories which are; i) woman who is the head of a household, were married or have divorced / completely separated and have unmarried children in the same household; ii) a woman who is the head of the household but has a husband (her husband is unwell and unable to work) and has unmarried children in the same household; or iii) a woman who became the head of household, never married but had children (adopted or illegitimate child).