Original scientific paper
Life-Adjustment of Mothers in Different Types of Single-Mother Families and Cognitive Outcomes of Their Children
Renata MILJEVIĆ-RIĐIČKI
orcid.org/0000-0002-1217-4687
; Faculty of Teacher Education, Zagreb
Tea PAVIN IVANEC
; Institute for Social Research, Zagreb
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the life-adjustment of
mothers in different types of single-mother families as well as
cognitive outcomes of their children. The participants were
42 single mothers (divorced, widows and never married) and
their children (N=42). The indicators of mothers’ life-
-adjustment were: the level of economic difficulties, perceived
support from friends and relatives and mother’s life--satisfaction. The indicators of children’s cognitive outcomes
included Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices Test,
Crichton Vocabulary Scale and School Readiness Test. In
addition, data on children’s grades (end of the first term of
the first grade) was obtained. Data analysis revealed that
there are no significant differences between three types of
single mothers according to various indicators of their life-
-adjustment. Further, mothers’ satisfaction with life is related
to the level of economic difficulties and perceived support
from friends and relatives. Mothers who have less economic
difficulties and who receive more support from friends and
relatives are more satisfied with life. There are no differences
in children’s cognitive outcomes with regard to the type of
single-mother family. Obtained differences on certain
cognitive outcomes can be ascribed to the quality of home
environment.
Keywords
single-mother families; life adjustment; children’s cognitive outcomes
Hrčak ID:
25492
URI
Publication date:
7.7.2008.
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