Single Mothers by Choice in Spain: Parenting and Psychosocial Adjustment in Adopted and ART Children

Abstract

This study explores the effects of family structure (single mother by choice/partnered mother), pathway to motherhood (adoption/assisted reproduction techniques or ART), and parenting style on children’s psychological adjustment and social competence. Ninety-eight families participated: 45 single mothers by choice (29 adoptive, 16 by ART); and 53 partnered mothers (27 adoptive, 26 by ART). Ninety-eight children were evaluated (Age = 5.36) by their teachers. As regards family structure, children of single mothers by choice (both adopted and conceived by ART) showed good psychological adjustment and good social competence. No significant differences were observed between them and those living with two parents when all were conceived by ART. However, children adopted by single mothers had higher hyperactivity and lower self-control than those living with two adoptive parents. No differences were observed in terms of nurturing parenting style, either between single and partnered mothers, or between adoptive and ART mothers. The nurturing parenting style significantly predicted better psychological adjustment and social competence among children. The results are discussed in connection with the debate regarding the effect of structure versus family processes on children’s psychosocial adjustment. The implications for interventions with single mothers by choice are also explored.