An analysis of the poverty cycle in single-parent families from an ecosystem perspective: The case of Bitlis

An Analysis of the Poverty Cycle in Single-Parent Families from an Ecosystem Perspective: The Case of Bitlis This study aims to analyze the intergenerational transmission of poverty and the factors influencing this process in single-parent families through the lens of the ecosystem perspective. The primary objective of the research is to explore the experiences of poverty among single parents living in Bitlis Province, to examine how these experiences are shaped across different levels (micro, meso, exo, macro, and chrono), and to identify potential strategies for breaking the poverty cycle. The research employs a design that integrates both case study and mixed methods approaches. In the first phase of the study, an exploratory qualitative case study was conducted in Bitlis Province, during which preliminary insights were gathered through interviews with professionals and volunteers. In the second phase, a mixed methods design was adopted; a survey was administered to 80 economically disadvantaged single parents, followed by in-depth interviews with 17 single parents. In this phase, the dominant method was qualitative research. The qualitative data were analyzed using MAXQDA software, while the quantitative data were processed using SPSS. Subsequently, in order to achieve a deeper understanding, the qualitative and quantitative findings were integrated and discussed holistically. The findings of the study reveal that the poverty cycle is reproduced not only through individual factors but also through multi-level structural dynamics. The study highlights that poverty is reinforced by factors such as deprivation originating from the family of origin, limited educational opportunities, access and equity issues in social support systems, gender-based inequalities, and economic precarity. Moreover, the individual and collective coping strategies developed by participants were found to have limited impact when confronted with entrenched structural barriers. Ultimately, the study offers recommendations for comprehensive social policies and service designs that take into account interactions across different systemic levels in combating poverty.