Cilj ovog rada bio je ispitati postoje li razlike među različitim tipovima jednoroditeljskih majčinskih obitelji i to u pogledu životne prilagođenosti majki te kognitivnog statusa njihove djece. Istraživanje je provedeno na 42 samohrane majke (rastavljene, udovice i nikad udavane) te na 42 djece predškolske i rane školske dobi. Ispitani aspekti životne prilagođenosti majki odnose se na ekonomske poteškoće obitelji, percipiranu razinu podrške obitelji i prijatelja te na zadovoljstvo životom. Kognitivni status djece ispitan je skalama Testa spremnosti za školu, Ravenovim progresivnim matricama te Chrichtonovom ljestvicom rječnika. Prikupljeni su i podaci o školskom uspjehu djece. Rezultati ukazuju kako među različitim tipovima jednoroditeljskih majčinskih obitelji nema razliku u životnoj prilagođenosti majki. Zadovoljstvo majki je veće što je manje ekonomskih poteškoća s kojima se suočava i što je podrška koju dobiva od okoline veća. Kognitivni status i školski uspjeh djece se također ne razlikuju s obzirom na tip jednoroditeljske obitelji. Dobivene razlike na pojedinim mjerama kognitivnog statusa djece mogu se pripisati poticajnosti kućne okoline. (IN ENGLISH: The aim of this study was to examine the life-adjustment of
mothers in different types of single-mother families as well as
cognitive outcomes of their children. The participants were
42 single mothers (divorced, widows and never married) and
their children (N=42). The indicators of mothers’ life-
-adjustment were: the level of economic difficulties, perceived
support from friends and relatives and mother’s life--satisfaction. The indicators of children’s cognitive outcomes
included Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices Test,
Crichton Vocabulary Scale and School Readiness Test. In
addition, data on children’s grades (end of the first term of
the first grade) was obtained. Data analysis revealed that
there are no significant differences between three types of
single mothers according to various indicators of their life-
-adjustment. Further, mothers’ satisfaction with life is related
to the level of economic difficulties and perceived support
from friends and relatives. Mothers who have less economic
difficulties and who receive more support from friends and
relatives are more satisfied with life. There are no differences
in children’s cognitive outcomes with regard to the type of
single-mother family. Obtained differences on certain
cognitive outcomes can be ascribed to the quality of home
environment.
