This study examined the relationship between marriage, social support, and psychological health among impoverished, rural mothers. While research suggests marital status and social support are negatively correlated with depression, research investigating such relationships and effects on poor, rural mothers over time is scant.
To examine the roles of marital status, social support, and time on depression, mean comparison and analysis of variance were run for depression levels across time, categories of partnership, categories of social support, and categories of change in marital status over time. While findings revealed that marital status had little effect on depression levels, social support appeared to be negatively correlated with depression. Furthermore, mothers who maintained marital status and reported high social support reported the lowest depression levels. Findings contribute to the limited body of research focusing on health in rural areas and yield valuable knowledge about the experience of psychological health among impoverished, rural mothers.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I: Introduction
Psychological Well-Being and Poverty
Psychological Well-Being and Geographic Location
Psychological Well-Being and Race/Ethnicity
Problem Statement
CHAPTER II: Literature Review
Marital Status and Psychological Well-being
Marital Status and Race/Ethnicity
Marital Status and Poverty
Married Persons and Psychological Well-Being
Cohabitation
Married vs. Non-Married Persons and Psychological Well-Being
Social Support and Psychological Well-being
Social Support and Geographic Location
Social Support and Race/Ethnicity
Social Support and Marital Status
Marriage as Social Support
Theoretical Framework
Social Selection Perspective
Family Stress Theory
Purpose of the Study
CHAPTER III: Methodology
Sample
Procedures
Measures
Model 1
Model 2
Data Analysis
CHAPTER IV: Results
Demographics Characteristics
Descriptive Data Analyses of Variables
Marital Status and Depression
Social Support and Depression
Bivariate Relationships between Continuous Variables
Mean Comparison 1: Depression
Mean Comparison 2: Marital Status and Depression
Mean Comparison 3: Perceived Social Support and Depression
Multivariate Analysis of Variance 1: Marital Status and Social Support on Depression
Multivariate Analysis of Variance 2: Marital Status and Social Support on Change in Depression
Mean Comparison 4 and Multivariate Analysis of Variance 3: Race on Social Support and Depression
CHAPTER V: Discussion
Characteristics of Rural Mothers
The Relationship between Marital Status and Depression
Marital Status vs. Partner Status
The Relationship between Perceived Social Support and Depression
The Relationship between Marital Status, Social Support, and Depression
The Relationship between Life Changes and Depression
Race/Ethnicity
Summary of Findings
Limitations
Future Research
Program and Policy Implications
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Focus
This study aims to investigate the complex relationships between marital status, social support, and psychological health, specifically focusing on the experience of depression among impoverished mothers in rural areas. By testing the theories of Social Selection and Family Stress, the research seeks to understand how external and internal factors influence the psychological well-being of this vulnerable demographic over time.
- The impact of marital status and transitions on depression levels.
- The role of perceived social support as a potential buffer against depressive symptoms.
- Longitudinal analysis of changes in psychological health among rural, low-income mothers.
- The influence of demographic variables, particularly race and ethnicity, on social support and mental health.
- Policy implications for marriage promotion and support programs in rural communities.
Excerpt from the Book
Theoretical Framework
This research is guided by elements of a social selection perspective and family stress theory. Many studies concerning influences of psychological health were conducted to understand the causal direction of psychological health and other external factors (Kessler & Essex, 1982; Lee et al., 1991; Marks, 1996; Mastekaasa, 1994; Wu & Hart, 2002). Proving to be difficult to determine causality, the intrinsic concept of social selection evolved. Some studies find evidence for this perspective (Mastekaasa, 1992), while many other researchers find evidence against this concept of social selection (Lee, Seccombe, & Shehan, 1991; Mastekaasa, 1994). Other researchers find the theory of family stress, a social causation perspective, to best explain the causal relationship between psychological well and marital status.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER I: Introduction: Defines psychological well-being and distress, introduces the influence of poverty and rural location, and outlines the problem statement regarding marriage promotion legislation.
CHAPTER II: Literature Review: Synthesizes previous research on the links between marital status, social support, and psychological health, incorporating the Social Selection perspective and Family Stress theory.
CHAPTER III: Methodology: Details the longitudinal sample of 307 rural mothers, data collection procedures across 14 states, and the statistical models used for analysis.
CHAPTER IV: Results: Presents the demographic characteristics of the sample and the quantitative analysis of the relationship between marital status, social support, and depression over two waves of data.
CHAPTER V: Discussion: Interprets the study's findings in the context of existing literature, addresses study limitations, and offers recommendations for future research and policy.
Keywords
Marital Status, Social Support, Psychological Well-Being, Depression, Rural Mothers, Low-Income, Family Stress Theory, Social Selection Perspective, Mental Health, Welfare Reform, Longitudinal Study, Demographic Characteristics, Partner Status, Psychological Distress, Community Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research examines the interconnectedness of marital status, levels of social support, and the psychological health of low-income mothers living in rural environments.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers the impact of poverty, the protective role of marriage and social support, geographic isolation in rural areas, and the influence of race and ethnicity on mental health.
What is the overarching research goal?
The primary goal is to determine if marital status and social support serve as effective buffers against depression for impoverished, rural mothers and to evaluate the effectiveness of marriage-based interventions.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The study utilizes quantitative data from a multi-state, longitudinal project (NC-223), applying t-tests and multivariate analyses (MANOVA) to compare depression scores across different marital and social support categories.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The work explores theoretical frameworks like the Social Selection and Family Stress theories, provides a comprehensive literature review, describes the research methodology, and presents detailed statistical results.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Marital Status, Social Support, Depression, Rural Mothers, Psychological Well-Being, and Family Stress Theory.
How does the study define the "Parenting Ladder" in the context of social support?
The Parenting Ladder is used as a self-report measure to assess a participant's perceived levels of stress and the adequacy of social support they receive from various sources, including friends, family, and professional services.
Does the research conclude that marriage is a reliable predictor of psychological health for this specific sample?
No, the study finds that for rural, low-income mothers, marital status alone is not a strong predictor of psychological well-being, emphasizing that social support is a more significant factor.
- Quote paper
- Oluwafemi Bolarfinwa (Author), 2009, Martial status, social support and psychological well-being among low-income mothers in rural area, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/174837
