Subjective Wellbeing of Mothers from Married and Single-Parent Families (Based on RLMS–HSE data for 2004–2023)

The article examines the subjective wellbeing of married and single mothers by analyzing their level of satisfaction with life, financial situation, work, wages, as well as level of anxiety and social optimism. The empirical basis of the article is built on data from the “Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey — HSE” (RLMS–HSE, 2004–2023). During the course of the study, the authors identified significant differences in the subjective wellbeing of married and unmarried women. Women from single-parent families, compared to married women, demonstrate a lower level of life satisfaction, while the differences are especially noticeable in terms of dissatisfaction with life — it is expected that there are more dissatisfied women from single-parent families. It is noted that a lower degree of job satisfaction is a group characteristic for unmarried women. Single mothers are more likely to express dissatisfaction with their financial situation, as well as a higher level of anxiety about possible job loss, inability to support themselves over the next 12 months. The proportion of women who attribute their financial status to the lower rungs of the social ladder is twice as high among women from single-parent families compared to those who are married. Married women show a greater tendency to expect positive changes in their lives.