Are Working Mothers the Biggest Losers in the Corona Pandemic? The perceived stress, social support, online learning satisfaction, and coping strategies among working mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives: The primary objective of this cross-sectional study is to investigate perceived stress, perceived social support, satisfaction with online learning, and coping strategies among working mothers in Jordan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 204 working mothers participated in an online survey. Four instruments were employed to analyze the study variables. Those instruments were Perceived Stressors Scale (PSS), Multidimensional Scale of Social Support (MSPSS), the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (B-COPE) Inventory, and Distance Learning Satisfaction Scale (DLSAT). We used descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and internal consistency for all variables in analyzing data for all variables. Results: The results revealed that working mothers reported a high level of perceived stress (M = 44.15, SD = 7.25), a low level of perceived social support (M = 29.78, SD = 9.41), a low level of satisfaction with online learning (M = 17.50, SD = 6.60), and a moderate level of effectively coping with their life circumstances (M = 60.56, SD = 11.07). Furthermore, the mothers’ perceived stressors, perceived social support, and satisfaction with children’s online learning were all significantly associated with the score of coping strategies. Conclusions: As working mothers are of the most vulnerable groups who was affected during the corona-virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the results in this study are significant in providing essential support and resources for them to cope with stress in the future and identify effective coping strategies for their well-being.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• perceived stress
• perceived social support
• online learning satisfaction
• coping strategies
• working mothers