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

Gheed M.  Alsalem; Mais  Al-Nasa’h; Amani  Qashmer; Ola  Al-Hwayan; Safa  Al-ali

doi:10.35516/edu.v50i1.4570

Authors

Gheed M. Alsalem Counseling and Special Education Department, School of Educational Sciences, The University of Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7553-2066
Mais Al-Nasa’h Counseling and Special Education Department, School of Educational Sciences, The University of Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7967-888X
Amani Qashmer Department of Educational Psychology, School of Educational Sciences, The University of Jordan, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9964-2112
Ola Al-Hwayan Counseling and Special Education Department, School of Educational Sciences, The University of Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6058-4384
Safa Al-ali Counseling and Special Education Department, School of Educational Sciences, The University of Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5885-4979

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/edu.v50i1.4570

Keywords:

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

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 collect data related to all 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 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.

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