Influence of Societal Beliefs on Emotional Well-Being of Single Mothers: A Case of Selected Churches in Mombasa County
Keywords:
societal beliefs, emotional well-being, stigma, cultural practices, and stereotypingAbstract
The study aimed to determine the effects of societal beliefs on the emotional well-being of single mothers in selected churches in Mombasa County. The study specifically sought to determine the influence of societal values, stigma, cultural practices, and stereotyping on the emotional well-being of single mothers among selected churches in Mombasa County. The target population of this study comprised 4 selected churches in Mombasa: CITAM, Crossroads, Mombasa Pentecostal Church, and PCEA Milele. The specific respondents were 367 single mothers from each church. The sample comprised 191 single mothers from churches in Mombasa. The study collected primary data. This data was collected using questionnaires. Questionnaires were organized systematically to facilitate analysis. The study used Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 for data analysis. Data were analyzed using quantitative techniques, including percentages, standard deviation, and multivariate regression. The qualitative data (open-ended questions) were used to allow respondents to give their explanations. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, and measures of central tendency, were used to describe the collected data. It is expected that societal values, stigma, religious practices, and stereotyping affect the emotional well-being of single mothers.
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