Psychological Distress as Related to Social Support in Single Enlisted Navy Mothers

The primary focus of this study was to examine how psychological distress relates to social support among single enlisted United States Navy mothers. Participants were 50 single active duty enlisted Navy mothers. Participants completed an online survey that assessed social support. life events stressors, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and maternal guilt. It was hypothesized that respondents who reported higher levels of social support (i.e., work support. Family support, friend support, and community support) and fewer negative life events stressors would report lower psychological distress (i.e., fewer depressive symptoms, less anxiety, lower maternal guilt). Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine how the hypothesized predictor variables (i.e. social support and life events stressors) forecast psychological distress (i.e., depressive symptoms, anxiety. and maternal guilt). Results of the multiple regression demonstrated that participants who reported more support from friends and fewer negative life events stressors reported fewer depressive symptoms. Results of multiple regression analyses that predicted anxiety symptoms and maternal guilt yielded a similar pattern of results. For both multiple regressions, participants who reported higher levels of work support and fewer negative life events stressors reported lower levels of anxiety and lower levels of maternal guilt. Family combined with job responsibilities result in many challenges for single Navy mothers; however, results of the present study indicate that support from friends, a supportive work environment, and fewer negative life events stressors are related to reports of psychological distress. These results support previous research that has correlated social support with positive psychological adjustment (e.g. Mirrashidi, 1999: Polasky & Holahan. 199B; Shechan, 1999). From a workplace perspective, it is important for the military as an institution to recognize that supportive work environments appear related to better psychological health among single active duty military mothers.