Hornsby Clark, Lily; (2023) Lone mothers’ experiences of caregiving: A qualitative study using the Parent Development Interview. Doctoral thesis (D.Psych), UCL (University College London).

Preview

Text Hornsby Clark_10163772_Thesis.pdf Download (304kB) | Preview

Abstract

Aim: This qualitative study aimed to investigate the caregiving experiences of lone mothers attending a Parent Toddler Group (PTG), by analysing Parent Development Interviews (PDI) using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Method: This project was part of a wider service evaluation of PTGs carried out between 2003 and 2019 in a third-sector mental health service. A sample of 7 lone mothers was purposively selected from the wider pool of toddler group attendees. All participants had completed a ‘baseline’ PDI on entering the group and these were audio recorded and then transcribed. Data was analysed using IPA. Results: The findings included some novel themes specific to lone mothers of toddlers, relating to managing their children’s need to be in control and difficulties around separation. Other themes echoed those in previous literature. Participants expressed feelings of isolation and being overwhelmed by lone parenting, as well as many struggling with mental health issues and histories of trauma. Conclusion: This study showed that the lived experiences of lone mothers are nuanced, challenging societal assumptions about this group as homogeneous. Lone mothers can be vulnerable and continue to be in need of specialist services, such as the PTGs, that can help them with their parenting, alongside support from family and friends.

Download activity - last month

Export as XMLCSVJSON

Download activity - last 12 months

Export as XMLCSVJSON

Downloads by country - last 12 months

Export as JSONXMLCSV

Archive Staff Only

View Item