Struggling through the thorns of socio-economic climate: A case of single mothers in Masvingo Urban, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Single mothers experience complex life circumstances that often expose them to persistent social and psychological challenges. Although existing literature acknowledges these difficulties, limited qualitative research has explored how single mothers interpret and manage these challenges within their everyday lived experiences, revealing an important research gap. The objective of this study is to explore the psychosocial challenges encountered by single mothers and the coping strategies they employ in response to prevailing social and economic pressures. A qualitative research design was adopted to gain an in-depth understanding of these experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 7 purposively selected participants, with additional participants identified through snowball sampling. Thematic analysis was used to examine shared experiences and adaptive strategies. The findings indicate that single mothers commonly experience social labeling, emotional isolation, psychological stress, and persistent financial strain, which collectively affect their well-being and social functioning. Participants also reported employing informal coping mechanisms to navigate these challenges, although support systems were often limited. The study underscores the need for community-based psychological interventions and social support programs aimed at addressing unrecognized mental health needs among single mothers. These findings have important implications for social policy, mental health services, and community development initiatives.

Keywords: Coping strategies; psychosocial challenges; qualitative research; single mothers; social support.