Single mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are likely to experience high levels of stress and be at risk for depression. However, respite care can reduce parenting stress and lower psychological distress in parents of children with disabilities. This study focused on single mothers of children with ASD and their reports of stress relative to respite care received. One hundred and twenty-two single mothers completed the Respite Care Instrument, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Hassles and Uplifts Scale, and Caregiver Burden Instrument. Results were mixed. Respite care was positively related to daily uplifts, but not significantly related to depression or stress. Uplifts mediated the relationship between respite care and depression, but stress did not mediate the relationship between respite care and depression, indicating uplifts were a process through which respite care had an indirect effect on depression. More than half (59.8%; n = 73) of mothers accessed respite care, most (41.0%; n = 30) being provided by a combination of sources: grandparents, extended family member, babysitter, community agency, or other. Seventy-seven percent of mothers (n = 94) were at risk for clinical depression. Findings provide evidence that single mothers of children with ASD are likely to experience depressive symptoms, access multiple sources of respite care, and be less likely to report depressive symptoms when they (a) receive respite care, and (b) report high amounts of daily uplifts. Therefore, it is important respite care be accessible and provided to single mothers of children with ASD. Recommendations for policy makers, school personnel, and research are offered.

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In the present neoliberal era, low-income Black single mothers receiving public assistance must grapple with heightened state surveillance, the devaluation of their mothering, trying to raise Black children in a racist society, and navigating the neoliberal economic system. This dissertation examines how, in light of all this, such women perceive themselves as mothers and what they identify as the greatest influences on their ability to carry out their mothering activities. It specifically investigates how they perceive their race as influencing their motherhood and how they perceive employment in relation to motherhood. Based on in-depth interviews with 21 low-income single Black mothers in Virginia, findings illustrate that the mothers in this study recognize and resist controlling images of low-income Black single motherhood, such as the "welfare queen" and the "baby mama," and that a key aspect of their mothering activities is socializing their children around race and class. Findings also demonstrate that motherhood is a central identity for the women in this study and that they prioritize their motherhood identities over their work identities. In addition, in a departure from previous research on Black motherhood/mothering, findings show that the women in this study do not mother within dense networks of kin and community support. / Doctor of Philosophy / Low-income Black single mothers receiving public assistance must grapple with heightened state surveillance, the devaluation of their mothering, trying to raise Black children in a racist society, and declining social welfare support. This dissertation examines how, in light of all this, such women perceive themselves as mothers and what they identify as the greatest influences on their ability to carry out their mothering activities. It specifically investigates how they perceive their race as influencing their motherhood and how they perceive employment in relation to motherhood. Based on in depth interviews with 21 low-income Black single mothers in Virginia, findings illustrate that the mothers in this study recognize and resist stereotypes of low-income Black single motherhood, such as the “welfare queen” and the “baby mama,” and that a key aspect of their mothering activities is socializing their children around race and class. Findings also demonstrate that motherhood is a central identity for the women in this study and that they prioritize their motherhood identities over their work identities. In addition, in a departure from previous research on Black motherhood/mothering, findings show that the women in this study do not mother within dense networks of kin and community support.

Mental health research recognized that a subgroup of the general population at risk for emotional disturbance is that of single parent women. A volunteer sample of 248 women was accessed from women's support groups for this study. The purpose of this research was to assess the extent to which the single parent woman experiences distress, and the relationship between this distress level and the coping resources the single parent woman possesses. The level of social support, both in family and work environments, was also assessed in its relationship to distress. The cognitive, coping strengths of women were measured by the use of the three Cognitive Trait Scales (Pearlin and Schooler, (1978). Three Family Environment Scales and three Work Environment Scales (Moos, 1986) measured the degree of support the single parent woman maintains. All nine of these scales were used as independent measures. The Brief Symptom Inventory (Derogatis, 1975) was the dependent measure and assessed the degree of somatic distress phenomena experienced by the respondent. Research questions asked (1) whether there were differences in the degree of distress experienced by single parent women based on their demographic factors; (2) what was the relationship between cognitive strengths/coping resources and the level of distress in the single mother; (3) what was the relationship of family and work support systems to the experience of distress in the single parent woman? To answer the first question, ANOVA correlation comparisons were made by demographic distinctions; the latter two questions were analyzed by multiple regression techniques. The Cognitive Traits Scales yielded the most significant results in this study. The demographic factors of number of children under 18, number of adults in the household, income, and number of losses experienced by the parent yielded modest but significant contributions to the model. / Ed. D.

This thesis explored the resources available for care-giving in chronically poor female-headed households. It investigated the relationship between resources as enabling in the practice of care and the choices that women can consequently make in light of the multiple roles that they play as workers, as mothers and as significant people in female-headed households.