Date

8-6-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Wendy Anson

Keywords

psychological autonomy, psychological well-being, single fathers, single mothers, single-working parents, work-life balance

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

Single-working parents (SWPs) shoulder dual roles and responsibilities, often resulting in strained psychological autonomy (PA), psychological well-being (PWB), and work-life balance (WLB) across their work and nonwork domains. These overlapping responsibilities create challenges in sustaining a quality of life over time. The specific problem this study addressed is that many SWPs in leadership positions do not manage their emotional center well, and the relationships among their PA, PWB, and WLB remain unknown. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine whether WLB mediates the relationship between PA and PWB in adult SWPs. Research questions were developed to explore the relationships and mediating factor. Data were collected via online social media platforms and consisted of a convenience sample of 72 single, divorced, or widowed parents. Findings revealed a non-significant relationship between PA and WLB, but a significant positive correlation between PA and PWB. However, the mediation analysis showed that WLB did not significantly mediate the relationship between PA and PWB. These results suggest that while PA contributes directly to PWB among SWPs, WLB does not necessarily explain this relationship. Implications of this study indicate that organizations and practitioners should prioritize strategies that enhance SWPs' autonomy to support their mental health and work-life integration, while recognizing that WLB may not fully buffer the psychological effects of autonomy on well-being. Further research is needed to explore alternative pathways and contextual factors that influence these dynamics.

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