Maternal self-efficacy, mental health, and stigma processes among Turkish single and married mothers

Single-parent-headed families are increasing worldwide. In Turkey, with rising divorce rates, single mother headed households constitute 8% of households. Single mothers are exposed to more stressors than married mothers such as caregiving strains and social isolation. Moreover, they are at high risk of mental health issues and experience stigmatization. This study compared depression, well-being, and maternal self-efficacy of single and married mothers who had at least one 5 to 12-year-old child in their care. In addition, we conducted an experimental study and manipulated single and married mothers' appraisal of a stressful situation and examined their current mood and maternal self-efficacy. Finally, we investigated the link between single mothers' stigma process and their mental health outcomes. In the experimental study, single (divorced, widowed or never married) mothers (n = 93) and married mothers (n = 98) were assigned to either a threat or a challenge appraisal condition, read a vignette about a hypothetical housing situation, and completed an online survey. The results showed that single mothers reported higher depression than married mothers; however, their well-being and maternal self-efficacy did not differ. Regarding the manipulation, we did not find a main effect for cognitive appraisal condition and its interaction with marital status. Lastly, we found that fear of negative evaluations and social belongingness mediated the association between single mothers' stigma process and mental health outcomes. The findings of the study shed light on single motherhood stigma and its association with mental health outcomes in Turkey. Keywords: cognitive appraisal theory, depression, maternal self-efficacy, single mothers, stigma