PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES OF ADJUSTMENT DISORDER IN SINGLE PARENT MOTHERS

Abstract

Objective: To investigate prevalence and difference of adjustment disorder in single parent mothers.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Psychology, University of Gujrat, from Jan to Apr 2019.

Methodology: The data were collected from 300 single parent mothers from the community of district Gujrat and Gujranwala by using purposive sampling technique. The single parent type information like spouse out of city or country and widow was asked in demographic form and further, adjustment of mothers was measured by using Scale of Adjustment for Adults.

Results: Among a total of 300, single parent mothers were widows 100 (33.3%), having spouse out of country 100 (33.3%) or city 100 (33.3%) each of same number. Majority of the mothers faced moderate level 181 (60.4%) of adjustment problems. Based on the cut-off of adjustment scale (71 and above) majority 234 (78%) of the mothers were maladjusted. The One-way ANOVA indicated that there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) in the adjustment problems faced by widows and mothers whose spouses were out of city or country. Further, widows (90.44 ± 17.81) encountered more problems comparing to spouse out of city (88.30 ± 19) or out of country (mean=79.41 ± 15.89).

Conclusion: The study findings indicated that single parent mothers encountered moderate level of adjustment problems and were mostly maladjusted. Further, there was statistically significant difference in the adjustment problems faced by single parent type of widow and spouse out of city or country.