Challenges and locus control among single mothers in Muar, Johore

Abstract

The challenges of single mothers as head of the family is very heavy because they have to run dual function both as a breadwinner and managers and educators of children. Being a single mother is a traumatic life experience for them. Therefore, this study will involve research on challenges and its relationship with locus control among single mothers in Muar. This article aims to identify the problems faced by single mothers and their relationship with locus of control among single mothers enrolled in the Darul Ta'zim Family Development Foundation (YPKDT) Muar. The study involved a total of 100 respondents consisting of single mothers enrolled. Questionnaires were used in this study and consist of 3 parts, background, problems of single mothers and locus of control among single mothers. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package For The Social Sciences (SPSS 16.0). Descriptive analysis is used to answer the objectives 1 and 2 by using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation and inferential analysis used to answer the third objective of the correlation method. The results showed that the economic problem is most dominant problem faced by single mothers, followed by psychological and emotional problems, family problems and problems of stigma and community support. In addition, the findings also indicate internal locus of control is the most dominant with M = 82.2 compared with external locus of control with M = 81.2. The study is significant as it provides exposure and awareness to government, non government organisation (NGO), private parties and community in order to aware of the challenges faced by the single mother in Malaysia.