Low-Income Mothers and Intimate Partner Relationships: Perceived Effects on Family Functioning

Background and Purpose:

Researchers have found that low-income mothers are more likely to experience isolation, have fewer friends, and lack a financial support network when compared to higher income mothers. When mothers living in poverty look to intimate partner relationships (IPRs) to fill unmet family support needs, the potential for unintended negative outcomes (e.g., partners uninterested in parenting, violence in the family) increases. The purpose of this study was to explore how low-income mothers view desirable qualities of IPRs and their potential contribution to family well-being.

Methods:

This study utilized a qualitative grounded theory approach to collect data from 15 adult women recruited via informational fliers posted across the city at various locations. Participants were: a) mothers; b) currently receiving public assistance or had an annual income of less than 150% of the federal poverty line; and c) provided informed consent. All participants received a $20.00 incentive gift card to a local grocery. Following securing informed consent, participants completed a 10-item paper and pencil questionnaire that collected demographics, age and number of children, relationship characteristics, and challenges in access to needed services. Individual semi-structured interviews were utilized to collect data on participants’ IPR ideal qualities, expectations, and contribution to family well-being. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and imported into QSR NVivo-10 for storage and analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed following a grounded theory three-step systematic approach that included open, axial, and selective coding (Strauss & Corbin, 2008).

Results:

Participants reported experiencing poor or abusive parenting, long histories of problematic IPRs, and, as a result, viewed self-reliance as necessary to maintain their own family functioning. Their descriptions of IPR qualities lacked a long-term or future orientation. Instead, identified ideal IPR characteristics were based on negative past experiences that they hoped to avoid in the future (e.g., a partner who was not violent to them or their children, did not use drugs, they did not have to support, was not engaged in illegal activities). Further, participants identified that evidence of the lack of problem behaviors would be the criteria they would utilize in making relationship decisions. Many concluded that, to maintain family well-being, an IPR might not be possible for them.

Conclusion and Implications:

This study initiates an exploratory discourse regarding low-income mothers’ perceptions about the impact of IPRs on family well-being. Given that participants’ negative experiences and utilization of limited criteria for assessing their IPRs may leave them at increased risk of becoming involved in unsatisfying or unsuccessful relationships, further healthy relationship education and support services are suggested. Increased understanding of mothers’ relationships can assist policymakers and providers in developing or targeting services that may improve child and family functioning, well-being, and safety. Further research is indicated.