Wellness and Self-Care Experiences of Single Mothers in Poverty Notes

Holistic Wellness and Poverty Overview

• Interconnectedness of Health and Poverty: Poverty significantly impacts holistic health and wellness. Diminished physical and psychological health is well-documented in correlation with poverty experiences (Weissman, Pratt, Miller, & Parker, 2015; WHO, 2017).
• Mental Health Disparities: Rates of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse are notably higher for individuals living in poverty (Broussard, 2010; Broussard, Alfred, & Thompson, 2012).
• Marginalized Status: Single mothers represent a specific marginalized group facing unique social, emotional, and economic challenges. Single mothers are twice as likely to experience poorer mental health compared to partnered mothers, single fathers, or women in any other group (Beeber, Perreira, & Schwartz, 2008).
• Role of Wellness and Self-Care: Wellness and self-care are considered cornerstones of effective counseling practice (Granello, 2000, 2012). Wellness acts as a protective factor against stress and mental health concerns, yet literature lack exploration of how these concepts are experienced by single mothers in poverty.

Quantitative Data on Poverty and Demographics

• General US Poverty (2016): Approximately $40.6 \times 10^6$ people experienced poverty in the United States (Semega, Fontenot, & Kollar, 2017).
• Gender Gap: The poverty rate for men was $12.2\%$ compared to $14.8\%$ for women.
• Head of Household Disparities:     * Female heads of household experienced a poverty rate of $28.2\%$.     * Male heads of household experienced a poverty rate of $14.9\%$.
• Household Statistics (2016): There were $4,200,000$ households headed by single mothers, whereas only $404,000$ were headed by single fathers.
• Service Utilization: Single mothers are more likely to utilize federal assistance such as Medicaid and food stamps and report higher rates of food scarcity than single fathers (Young, Cunningham, & Buist, 2005; Zilanawala, 2016).

Theoretical Framework and Definitions

• Definition of Wellness: Wellness is defined as "a way of life oriented toward optimal health and well-being, in which mind, body, and spirit are integrated by the individual to live life more fully within the human and natural community" (Myers & Sweeney, 2004, p. 252).
• Indivisible Self Model (IS-WEL): This study uses the IS-WEL model (Myers & Sweeney, 2004) to conceptualize holistic wellness. It is the only empirically validated wellness model grounded in the philosophy of holism. The domains include:     * Coping Self: Realistic beliefs, stress management, self-worth, and leisure.     * Social Self: Friendship and love.     * Physical Self: Exercise and nutrition.     * Essential Self: Spirituality, self-care, gender identity, and cultural identity.     * Creative Self: Thinking, emotions, control, positive humor, and work.
• Paradigm: The study utilizes an Intersectional Feminist Paradigm to understand how identities like gender, race, and social class influence experiences of power, privilege, oppression, and discrimination (Crenshaw, 1991).

Research Methodology

• Design: A transcendental phenomenological design (Moustakas, 1994) was used to explore the lived experiences of participants.
• Sampling: Snowball sampling was employed, starting with a mother at a local nonprofit childcare agency. This is considered an appropriate strategy for accessing vulnerable groups.
• Sample Size: $N = 10$ participants. This size is consistent with phenomenological standards (typically $5$ to $25$ participants).
• Data Collection: Individual, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews lasting between $45$ and $60$ minutes.
• Analysis: Verbatim transcription followed by Horizontalization (identifying non-repetitive, non-overlapping statements) and Consensus Coding to develop meaning units and themes.
• Trustworthiness Strategies: (a) Audit trail/reflective journals, (b) triangulation via a research team, (c) member checking, (d) thick description including verbatim quotations.

Participant Demographics

• Age Profile: Participants ranged from $19$ to $26$ years old ($M = 20.5$; $SD = 2.72$).
• Racial/Ethnic Identity:     * Black or African American: $n = 5$     * White: $n = 4$     * Hispanic: $n = 1$
• Parental Status: Seven participants had one child; three participants had two children. Children’s ages ranged from $1$ to $7$ years ($M = 2.5$; $SD = 1.97$).
• Relationship Status: $n = 8$ identified as single; $n = 2$ identified as "in a relationship" (partners did not live in the home or provide financial support).
• Time in Poverty: Ranged from $7$ months to $26$ years ($M = 3$ years; $SD = 7.47$).

Major Theme 1: Barriers to Wellness and Self-Care

• Emotional Barriers ($n = 6$): Experiences are described as emotionally stressful. Cora noted: "It is honestly… kind of very challenging… it's hard."
• Guilt and Self-Neglect ($n = 2$): Willow expressed guilt regarding self-care: "Parents who do take the time to practice self-care are seen as selfish… I feel guilty even when I choose to do my homework instead of taking her to the park… I know I would feel guilty if I would take that time for myself."
• Pride and Privacy ($n = 5$): Reluctance to reach out for support. Cora stated: "I have a pride issue… I am a very private person… I don't want to ask anybody, that's my decision."
• Balancing Roles and Responsibilities ($n = 8$): Challenges in juggling roles as mother, worker, and student. Tracee mentioned being a "model" for her girls as the only adult in their lives.
• Priority of Child Over Self ($n = 5$): Cora shared that she stopped eating properly to care for her daughter: "I lost a lot of weight because it's just hard to care for her and try to go to school."
• Protection of Children ($n = 3$): Stephanie mentioned hiding her emotions: "I can't be sad or depressed around her because I know she can tell… I would have to go somewhere else and cry… then go about my day."
• Lack of Self-Care ($n = 5$): Many performed only "bare minimum" hygiene. Willow defined this minimum as "sleep, shower, eat."
• Lack of Support ($n = 8$): Absence of help from family, friends, or the child's father. Charlotte noted family members "disappearing" after she got pregnant.
• Lack of Resources ($n = 8$): Scarcity of time, money, and childcare. Tracee noted: "As far as treating myself, I don't really get to do that a lot because of my financial situation."
• Systemic Oppression ($n = 2$): Stigma of government assistance. Angela explained: "It's like frowned upon… society is going to look down on you."

Major Theme 2: Supports for Wellness and Self-Care

• Mental Health Strategies: help included taking "time for self" ($n = 6$), creativity/working with hands ($n = 5$), and journaling or music ($n = 6$).
• Physical Wellness Supports: Basic hygiene/grooming ($n = 5$), physical exercise (gym, home workouts, yoga) ($n = 6$), and healthy diet.
• Social Wellness: Supportive relationships with family, friends, and coworkers. Willow noted she felt "privileged" compared to other single mothers despite limited support time.
• Peer Support ($n = 3$): Connection with other single mothers. Angela mentioned a friend in the "same situation" who understands her struggles.
• Spirituality ($n = 2$): Tracee emphasized spiritual wellness: "Definitely my focus on God and trusting in Him… spiritual wellness is really big for me."

Major Theme 3: Awareness and Personal Strengths

• Awareness of Wellness ($n = 6$): Participants recognized mood (depression/anxiety) as an indicator of being unwell. Energy levels ($n = 2$) and nutritional choices ($n = 3$) were also cited. Cora’s vitamin D, kidney, and liver issues were linked specifically to poor nutrition.
• Influence on Family ($n = 10$): All participants recognized that their personal wellness directly impacts their children. Lea noted being "harder" on her son when she has a rough day.
• Personal Strengths ($n = 7$): Strengths identified include self-awareness, self-esteem, autonomy, resiliency, and intentionality. Angela shared her ability to "get it together" quickly and using music or reading as a pick-me-up.

Clinical Implications for Mental Health Counselors

• Integrated Wellness Plans: Counselors should collaborate with clients to create individualized plans using cost-free, accessible strategies (e.g., walking in a park, reading, meditation).
• Socio-Ecological (Micro, Meso, Macro) Interventions:     * Micro: Empowerment skills, psychoeducation on accessible self-care, and strengths-based approaches.     * Meso: Helping clients build or repair support systems (family, friends) and establishing specialized support groups for single mothers.     * Macro: Advocacy at local, state, and national levels for equitable access to healthcare, childcare, and transportation; reducing stigma through increased visibility.
• Practical Adaptations: Due to time/transportation barriers, counselors should consider home-based or community-based services.
• Advocacy: Alleviating issues like food/housing scarcity by helping clients navigate and apply for federal assistance programs.

Future Research Directions

• Efficacy of Wellness Models: There is a critical need to evaluate the use of existing wellness models (like IS-WEL) specifically with marginalized groups to ensure ethical and multicultural standards are met.
• Quantitative Studies: Research using pretest/posttest designs to measure the impact of wellness interventions.
• Predictive Research: Investigating the specific relationships between income, demographic factors (age, race), and wellness levels using hierarchical linear regression.