Publication year
2009
Citation Title
Social support and life stress as related to the psychological distress of single enlisted Navy mothers.
Journal Name
Military Psychology
Journal Volume
21
Issue Number
2
Page Numbers
S82-S97
DOI
10.1080/08995600903249198
Summary
An examination of how work, family, friend, and community support were related to psychological distress (i.e., symptoms of depression, anxiety, and maternal guilt) among Active Duty U.S. Navy single mothers was conducted. Participants completed an online survey which assessed their social support, life events stress, depression, anxiety and maternal guilt. Overall there were relationships between several of Active Duty mothers' social supports and their depressive, anxiety symptoms, and maternal guilt.
Key Findings
Support from family members was not associated with Active Duty single mothers' psychological adjustment nor did community support significantly predict psychological distress.
Higher levels of support from friends and fewer negative life events stressors predicted fewer depressive symptoms among participants.
Higher social support in the workplace and fewer negative life events stressors predicted both fewer symptoms of anxiety and lower levels of maternal guilt.
Implications for Program Leaders
Offer pre and post- deployment support groups for deployed mothers, their families, and friends
Provide workshops for single Active Duty mothers that focus on building strong relationships with their children
Disseminate information regarding possible symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety Active Duty mothers' may face
Implications for Policy Makers
Continue support for programs that address deployed mothers unique needs (e.g., childcare, healthcare)
Recommend education of professionals who work with military families (e.g., child caregivers, mental health, and education professionals) on the possible effects of mothers' deployment on their mental health and well-being
Support the provision of tools and resources that assist Active Duty mothers in accessing quality childcare and maintaining their health
Methods
Participants were recruited via announcements placed in local newspapers, through organizations via the Internet, and word of mouth.
Participants were asked to complete an anonymous online self-report questionnaire which addressed social support, positive and negative life stressors, and psychological distress.
Analysis looked at the relationships between Active Duty U.S. Navy mothers' depression, anxiety, and maternal guilt and identified work, family, friend, and community supports.
Participants
Participants were 50 single enlisted U.S. Navy mothers with their minor children.
Forty participants identified as either single, never married, divorced, or separated and had a mean age of 24 years old.
Forty-seven participants identified as White, one as Hispanic; and two as other.
Limitations
A sample size of 50 and the use of a convenience sample bring a degree of uncertainty into the results.
Single predominantly White U.S. Navy mothers who chose to participate in an online survey may represent a certain subset of single U.S. Navy mothers, which limits generalizability.
Data were collected all at one time, with the negative (i.e., psychological distress) questions undermining the positive (i.e., social supports) questions.
Avenues for Future Research
Explore the relationship between social supports, Active Duty mothers' depression, anxiety, and maternal guilt, and retention in the military
Examine how deployment affects social support and psychological adjustment of Active Duty mothers
Investigate the unique experiences of single military women across all military branches
Focus
Navy
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
This study examines relationships between social support and life events stress among 50 single active duty enlisted United States Navy mothers. Participants completed an online survey to assess social support (Inventory of Parent Experiences, Crnic & Greenburg, 1990), life events stressors (Life Events Questionnaire, Norbeck, 1984), depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic StudiesÐDepression Scale, Radloff, 1977), anxiety (Kremen Anxiety Scale, Kremen, 1990), and maternal guilt (Parental Guilt Questionnaire, Tucker & Kelley, 2006). Higher levels of support from friends and fewer negative life events stressors predicted fewer depressive symptoms. Higher social support in the workplace and fewer negative life events stressors predicted both fewer symptoms of anxiety and lower levels of maternal guilt. Results suggest that friend and workplace support and negative life events may have important implications for the psychological health of single enlisted active duty Navy mothers.
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