2012/03/19 by Richard J. Petts · 35 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Corporal punishment #Developmental psychology #Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study #Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health #Intervention (counseling) #Positive parenting #Psychology #Punishment (psychology) #Religion, Society, and Development #Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology #Single mothers #Social psychology
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2011.00953.x
published in Journal of Marriage and the Family 74(2), 251-268 (Wiley)
openalex publication_date 2012/03/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Using data on 1,134 single mothers from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, this study examined trajectories of religious participation among single mothers and whether these trajectories were associated with early childhood behavior. The results suggested that single mothers experienced diverse patterns of religious participation throughout their child's early life; some mothers maintained a consistent pattern of religious participation (or nonparticipation), and other mothers increased their participation. The results also suggested that religious participation was associated with greater involvement with children, reduced parenting stress, and a lower likelihood of engaging in corporal punishment. Young children raised by mothers who frequently attended religious services were less likely to display problem behaviors, and this relationship was partially mediated by increased child involvement, lower stress, and less frequent corporal punishment. Overall, religious participation may provide resources for single mothers that encourage them to engage in parenting practices that promote positive child development.