Social support, happiness, work–family conflict, and state anxiety among single mothers during the covid-19 pandemic

Israel has been greatly affected by the coronavirus (Covid-19), which the World Health Organization defined as a pandemic in March 2020. This study explored state anxiety, social support, work–family conflict, and happiness among mothers who are single by choice. This population’s experiences have not been examined during crises such as a global pandemic. Using snowball sampling, we recruited 386 single mothers by choice to complete an online questionnaire. Correlation analysis revealed a negative relationship between income and state anxiety (r = −0.12, p < 0.05). Social support (r = −0.35, p < 0.01) and level of happiness (r = −0.58, p < 0.01) also had negative correlations with state anxiety. A positive and significant relationship was found between work–family conflict and state anxiety (r = 0.42, p < 0.01). Stepwise regression analysis showed that happiness explained 34% of the variance in state anxiety. Future studies could compare mothers in relationships and how single mothers by choice coped in other countries. This would shed light on state anxiety among mothers with varying relationship statuses and in differing locations.

Orit Shamir Balderman, Michal Shamir