STRESS AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AS PREDICTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL-WELL BEING OF WORKING MOTHERS IN NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The Psychological well-being of humans is an important area of interest. The present study, therefore examined the role of stress and social support on the psychological well- being of working mothers in Nsukka urban, in Enugu State of Nigeria. Respondents were 200 females drawn from Nsukka, in Enugu State. The average respondent’s age was 25-50 years. The Perceived Stress Scale, Social Support Scale and Psychological well-being scale were the instruments administered for the study. Hierarchical multiple regression was used in analyzing the data. It was found that stress predicted psychological wellbeing among working mothers (β= -.12, P <.01). Social support also significantly predicted psychological wellbeing among working mothers (β= .28, P <.05). Management, administrators, clinicians and psychologists at workplace level should foster a social support networks which may help working mothers improve their ability to face the challenges they encounter in their jobs and also maintain their overall well-being. In conclusion, when women are stressed up and without enough support in their work place or at home, they tend to have poor Psychological wellbeing.