Single parents root family relationships and parenting stress

The purpose of this research is to understand how the parenting stress of single parents is affected by their nuclear family relationships. This study is particularly important due to being one of the few studies focusing on the effects of nuclear family structure on single parenthood and parenting stress. The theoretical framework of the research is constructed based on the ecosystem approach and parenting stress theory. A phenomenological approach with an interpretative phenomenological design was used as the qualitative research method in the study. Participants were determined through purposive sampling using the snowball method. The study reached 16 single parents, and data were obtained through in-depth interview technique. Within this scope, a semi-structured interview form consisting of 21 questions was utilized. Eight of the interviews were conducted face-to-face, while nine were conducted online using WhatsApp and Zoom. The data were analyzed using the MAXQDA 24 program within the framework of the rules of the phenomenological approach, through the analysis of transcribed audio recordings. As a result of data structuring, 3 main themes and 13 categories emerged. These main themes were labeled as the single parent's past life and childhood, the pre-single parenthood process, and the single parenthood process. The emerged themes were arranged through chronological stages. At the end of the study, it was observed that the experiences single parents had with their nuclear families during their childhood and adolescence significantly influenced their later lives. Individuals who were unable to access psychosocial support during the divorce process experienced serious problems, and traumatic events before single parenthood negatively impacted their subsequent life narratives. Furthermore, the study revealed that the free support services provided during divorce processes were inadequate. Single parenthood significantly altered the life cycle of individuals, and during challenging periods, support from nuclear family and friends made a substantial positive difference. Single parents often found themselves distanced from social activities and hobbies due to reasons such as financial constraints and lack of time. Moreover, factors such as being a woman in single parenthood, societal pressures, the number, and health status of children, as well as the individual's financial resources and opportunities, were identified as significant contributors to parenting stress.