Maternal well-being, stressors, and the use of support services in single-parent families, stepfamilies, and nuclear families: Results from the representative cross-sectional study AID:A 2023

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the well-being and stressors among mothers in single-parent families, stepfamilies, and nuclear families, as well as their use of support services. STUDY DESIGN: The data are based on the representative, nationwide study "Growing up in Germany" (AID:A 2023), which used a random population survey. METHODS: A subsample of mothers with children under 18 years was analyzed (n = 3,376). Differences in perceived burdens by family forms were examined descriptively, via Chi-square tests, and conducting multivariate analyses. Use of various support services was also analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: In bivariate analyses, mothers in single-parent families, and to some extent stepfamilies, reported higher socioeconomic stressors such as financial deprivation, as well as psychosocial risks including negative co-parenting and lack of social support. Single mothers also more often reported poor family climate and worries about the future than mothers in nuclear families. Moreover, mothers in nuclear families reported higher well-being, better self-rated health, and greater life satisfaction compared to mothers in single-parent and stepfamilies. Multivariate analyses indicated that material deprivation was central for reduced maternal well-being, and the association between family form and well-being was no longer statistically significant after adjustment for financial and psychosocial stressors. Selective support services, such as parenting counselling and legal custody advice, were used more frequently by mothers in single-parent or stepfamilies compared to nuclear families. CONCLUSION: Overall, differences in maternal well-being across family forms appear to be largely explained by material and psychosocial stressors, with financial deprivation emerging as the key factor rather than family structure itself. The findings suggest a higher need for support among mothers in single-parent families than in nuclear families. However, universal group-based services do not appear to address this need adequately. In contrast, selective counselling services, such as parenting counselling, are used more often by mothers in single-parent families and stepfamilies. Counselling might also address financial strain and couple distress as well as worries about the future.