Krisis Kesihatan Mental Ibu Tunggal B40 Semasa Pandemik COVID-19: Kajian Kes di Pulau Pinang (Mental Health Crisis of B40 Single Mothers during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study in Penang)

Siti Marziah Zakaria, Asila Nur Adlynd Mohd Shukry, Wan Nurdiyana Wan Yusof, Norehan Abdullah

Abstract


The Covid-19 pandemic has a negative impact on the mental health and well-being of single mothers, especially from the B40 income group. The position of single mothers as sole breadwinner is challenged due to their daily routines and work routines changing dramatically as a result of changes in work patterns during the pandemic. Single mothers were also reported to have a lower quality of life and poor mental health than married mothers. This study explored the mental health crisis faced by single mothers in Penang during the Covid-19 pandemic. This qualitative study involved a group discussion focusing on ten (10) B40 single mothers from Balik Pulau, Penang who were selected based on inclusive criteria that have been set, using purposive sampling method. Thematic analysis techniques were used to identify themes of mental health crises experienced by B40 single mothers. Findings showed that single mothers from the B40 group experience issues related to sadness, depression, bereavement, anxiety and loneliness, where these issues have a long-term impact on their mental health. Moral and social support are important for single mothers to help them recover from mental health crisis after being affected by pandemic. The findings of this study hopefully will be able to help relevant parties to understand the mental health challenges faced by the single mothers, as well as providing guiding principles in designing appropriate intervention programs to improve the well-being and quality of life of single mothers from B40 group. 


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