Food insecurity and depression among single mothers in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study is centered on household food insecurity and depression among single mothers in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa State. This study made use of the theories of both Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Family Stress Model as its theoretical framework. The study adopted a survey and co-relational study design. In doing this, a sample size of 246 single mothers was selected using the snowball sampling technique. The questionnaire was the main source of primary data collection. The descriptive statistics of percentages, frequency, mean and standard deviation were the basic analytical tool used for the analysis of socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, while the inferential statistics of binary regression logistics and spearman correlation coefficient served as the tool for determining the relationship between variables. The findings of this study revealed that single mothers were disproportionally affected by food insecurity situations such as insufficient food, poor nutritional abilities, skipping meals, etc. Also, socio-demographic characteristics of single mothers have a relationship with food insecurity status of single mothers, and finally, food insecurity status of mothers play a role in single mothers’ depression. As such, food insecurity does not only have psychological effect on mothers but also on their health status and the wellbeing of their children. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that there should be concerted efforts by the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to empower single mothers so as to reduce the economic burden characterized by food insecurity on them.

Keywords: Food insecurity, Single Mothers, Depression, Family Stress theory, Maternal health