Comparing self-affirmation, psychological distress in women who are heads of households with women who have dependents

The aim of this study was to compare self-affirmation, psychological distress and social phobia in female-headed households with female-headed households. This research is applied in terms of purpose, the method of conducting the present study is descriptive-survey of causal-comparative type, the statistical population of this study includes female-headed households covered by welfare centers in Gorgan city and women with heads of state in Gorgan city in the first ۳ months of ۲۰۲۵, which after obtaining the necessary licenses and code of ethics and referring to the center, from among the referrals. Participants were selected by convenience sampling method using Morgan's table and ۱۱۶ participants were selected as the sample. To collect the required data in this study, Rattus' self-affirmation questionnaire, Kessler's psychological distress questionnaire, and Connor's social phobia questionnaire were used. To analyze the data, independent t-test and multivariate analysis of variance were used. The results showed that there is a difference between the two groups. In other words, there is a significant difference between self-affirmation, psychological distress and social phobia in female-headed households and women with heads. Also, based on the contents of the table, the t-statistic obtained for comparison of the mean scores of self-affirmation, psychological distress and social phobia between the two groups is significant at the level of ۰.۰۵. Considering the higher mean scores of self-approval, psychological distress and social phobia in female-headed households, it can be concluded that self-affirmation, psychological distress and social phobia are higher in female-headed households than female-headed females. Therefore, it can be concluded that there are different dynamics in the experience of female-headed households and female-headed females in the areas of self-affirmation, psychological distress, and social phobia. Despite significant challenges that lead to higher levels of psychological distress and social phobia, female-headed households may find more powerful sources of self-affirmation as a result of facing adversity. Also, the status of social phobia in both groups is a function of the complex interaction between external pressures, coping strategies, and social supports. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding individual and contextual differences in mental health assessment.

Keywords:

Self-Affirmation , Psychological Distress , Female-Headed Households