Self-Perceptions, Challenges and Coping with Single Motherhood: Experiences of Muslim, Christian and African Traditional Religion Single Mothers in the Nadowli District of the Upper West Region of Ghana

This study explored the experiences of single mothers from Christian, Muslim and African Traditional Religions in the Nadowli District of the Upper West Region of Ghana in terms of their self-perceptions, challenges, and coping strategies. A qualitative approach and phenomenological design were used and this enabled participants to describe their experiences as typical and unique to them. Using stratified and purposive sampling, a total of 30 participants were selected including 10 Muslim, 10 Christian and 10 African Traditional Religion single mothers. Data was collected using focus group discussions. The data collected was coded through thematic and verbatim coding leading to the development of themes. The themes developed were used to present and discuss the findings of the study. The findings revealed that single mothers in the study experience single motherhood as very challenging and view themselves as disrespected, underrated and powerless human beings. Also, the study revealed that single mothers across the three dominant religions in the Nadowli district are faced with several challenges including financial hardships, psychosocial problems, poor nutrition and performing dual roles of fathers and mothers. The study further discovered that single mothers resorted to strategies such as engagement in petty trading, support from social networks, membership of associations and prayer to cope with their situation and challenges. The study recommends that non-governmental organizations interested in the welfare of women and the social welfare department of Ghana should extend their services to single mothers in the form of livelihood support start-up kits to enable them cater for their basic human needs. Religious leaders and counseling practitioners or psychologists should also incorporate community-based counseling into their practices in order to offer psychological assistance to single mothers. The study contributes to the family literature by providing an understanding of how single motherhood is experienced and coped with by single mothers across the Islamic, Christian and African Traditional religions.