Challenges and Adaptation Strategies of Student-Mothers in Mariano Marcos State University-College of Teacher Education (MMSU-CTE): Implications for Family Relationships and Home Management
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65141/sjter.v3i1n14Keywords:
Student-Mothers, Adaptation Strategies, Academic Challenges, Home Management, Family RelationshipsAbstract
This study investigated the challenges and adaptation strategies of student-mothers, particularly enrolled at Mariano Marcos State University – College of Teacher Education (MMSU-CTE). The participants were 15 student-mothers selected through purposive sampling to ensure experience-based insights into their dual roles. Employing a mixed-methods design, data were collected using a researcher-made 4-point Likert-scale questionnaire administered to assess challenges and adaptation strategies, supplemented by semi-structured interviews on needed supports. Analysis of the data included descriptive statistics (means and verbal interpretations), Pearson’s r correlations, and thematic analysis with themes ranked by frequency of occurrence.
Key findings indicated pronounced challenges, predominantly encompassing elevated stress and anxiety, physical exhaustion, time management constraints, and financial pressures. Adaptation strategies were routinely implemented, with a focus on flexible study scheduling and prudent financial budgeting. Home management was generally efficacious, with paramount attention to children’s welfare. No significant associations were observed between challenge intensity and adaptation strategies, or between strategies and home management efficacy. This underscores that even highly adaptive student-mothers continue to experience considerable role-related strain.
Thematic analysis revealed key priorities, ranked by frequency: ongoing support from family members, more flexible university policies (such as adjustable class schedules or extended deadlines), and government programs for affordable childcare and financial aid. These findings shed light on broader systemic obstacles that student-mothers face daily. The present study likewise calls for targeted solutions, including institutional changes to support persistence in studies, stronger family bonds through reduced parental stress, and smoother household routines to enable student-mothers thrive academically while maintaining stable homes and close-knit relationships.
Downloads
References
Andres, K. P. (2021). Two faces of a mom: Student mothers’ lived experiences in a state university. International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, 2(5), 406–412. https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.02.05.06
Adu-Yeboah, C. (2015). Mature women students' experiences of social and academic support in higher education: A systematic review. Journal of Education and Training, 2(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.5296/jet.v2i2.7511
Alase, A. (2017). The interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA): A guide to a good qualitative research approach. International Journal of Education & Literacy Studies, 5(2), 9–19. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.5n.2p.9
Anane, C., Adangabe, A. A., & Inkoom, D. (2021). Coping strategies and perceived support of student-mothers at the University of Education, Winneba campus. South Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(3), 151–169. https://doi.org/10.48165/sajssh.2021.2310
Andrade, C., Fernandes, J. L., & Almeida, L. S. (2024). Mature working student parents navigating multiple roles: A qualitative analysis. Education Sciences, 14(7), 786. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14070786
Azuka, F. N., & Hildayani, R. (2023). Role conflict in student mothers: A review of challenges and coping strategies. Psikoborneo: Jurnal Ilmiah Psikologi, 11(2), 345–354. https://doi.org/10.30872/psikoborneo.v13i3.20368
Baluyos, Q. R. C., & Alvarico, A. B. (2025). Lived experiences of student mothers in balancing motherhood and academic pursuits: A phenomenological study. Mediterranean Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 9(2), 67–87. https://doi.org/10.46382/MJBAS.2025.9209
Bourdeau, G., Barnes, Y., McKinney, L., Burridge, A., Lee, M., & Miller-Waters, M. (2022). Hidden costs: Understanding the financial implications of incentivizing full-time enrollment among community college students. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 46(12), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/10668926.2020.1830887
Brandimarte, L., Acquisti, A., & Loewenstein, G. (2013). Misplaced confidences: Privacy and the control paradox. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 4(3), 340–347. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550612455931
Brear, M., & Gordon, R. (2020). Translating the principle of beneficence into ethical participatory development research practice. Journal of International Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.3514
Bujang, M. A., Omar, E. D., & Baharum, N. A. (2018). A review on sample size determination for Cronbach's alpha test: A simple guide for researchers. Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, 25(6), 85–99. https://doi.org/10.21315/mjms2018.25.6.9
Bustillo, R. C. T., & Sayson, J. A. V. (2024). Navigating the dual roles: Understanding the unique challenges of student-mothers in pursuit of higher education. Ignatian International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 2(2), 58–69. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10634332
Dickson, M., & Tennant, L. (2018). “The accommodation I make is turning a blind eye”: Faculty support for student mothers in higher education. Studies in Continuing Education, 40(1), 76–97. https://doi.org/10.1080/0158037X.2017.1392296
Espiritu, E. J., et al. (2023). Dual roles: Bearing the academic and parental responsibilities of being a student-mother. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370824570
Fatima, H., Masood, S., Ishaque, B., & Paul, I. A. (2025). Navigating dual roles: Challenges and strategies of student mothers in higher education. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 13, 123–143. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2025.132009
Fabillar, K., Dela Cruz, M., Santos, R., & Villanueva, L. (2025). Challenges and aspirations: Lived experiences of teacher-education student-mothers of a state university. EduLearn (Journal of Education and Learning), 19(1), 32–45. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v19i1.21332
Frontiers in Education. (2025). Flexible learning in higher education: A pathway to student success in the post-pandemic era. Frontiers in Education, 10, 1534420. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1534420
Hitchings, J. H. (2024). Support and hope: A study of community college student mothers’ perceptions of higher education. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1421183
Kanana, K. R., Obonyo, J., & Wambu, C. K. (2021). Challenges, coping mechanisms, and support accorded to student-mothers in academic pursuit: A case study of Egerton University, Nakuru County. Advances in Sciences and Humanities, 7(3), 93. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ash.20210703.17
Kasworm, C. E. (2018). Adult students: A confusing world in undergraduate higher education. Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 66(2), 77–87. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1188620
Kang, E., & Hwang, H.-J. (2023). The importance of anonymity and confidentiality for conducting survey research. Journal of Research and Publication Ethics, 4(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.15722/JRPE.4.1.202303.1
Kim, M., Jung, N., & Wulandari, L. (2022). Parenting in a 24/7 economy: Mothers’ non-standard work schedules and involvement in children’s education. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 905226. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.905226
LaBrenz, C. A., Robinson, E. D., Chakravarty, S., Vasquez-Schut, G., Mitschke, D. B., & Oh, S. (2022). When “time is not your own”: Experiences of mothering students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Affilia, 37(2), 263–277. https://doi.org/10.1177/08861099221115721
Lindsay, T. N., & Gillum, N. L. (2018). Exploring single-mother college students’ perceptions of their college-related experiences and campus services. Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 66(3), 188–199. https://doi.org/10.1080/07377363.2018.1537657
Maluleke, U., Senekal, J., Munnik, E., & Somhlaba, N. (2023). Balancing dual roles as mothers and students: A “tightrope” experience in higher education. South African Journal of Higher Education, 37(3), 140–160. https://doi.org/10.20853/37-3-5448
Montaño, D. E., & Francisco, B. D. (2024). Surviving and thriving: Stories of single student mothers in Western Visayas, Philippines. European Modern Studies Journal, 8(5), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.59573/emsj.8(5).2024.1
Nnadi, E., & Özada Nazım, F. (2025). Student mothers: Experiences of young mothers studying at university. Journal of Women’s Studies, 25(2), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.33831/jws.v25i2.506
Ogunji, C. V., Nwajiuba, C. A., & Uwakwe, R. C. (2020). Student-mothers in higher education: An exploratory study of challenges and support systems for inclusion. Journal of the Nigerian Academy of Education, 15(2). https://journals.ezenwaohaetorc.org/index.php/JONAED/article/view/1298/1340
Rasmussen, L., Jones, E., Martin, V., Wilson, O., & Cooper, C. (2025). Equitable payments for research participation: A case of exceptionalism. Research Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747161251335426
Roy, R. N., Bradecich, A., Dayne, N., & Luna, A. (2018). The transition to motherhood: The experiences of college student-parents. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 110(3), 48–57. https://doi.org/10.14307/JFCS110.3.48
Salindo, P. P., & Salindo, J. K. B. (2024). Empowering student-mothers in higher education institutions: A call for support systems. PRISMA: Gender and Education e-Journal, 1. https://doi.org/10.56278/h92efr52
Sharma, L. R., Bidari, S., Bidari, D., Neupane, S., & Sapkota, R. (2023). Exploring mixed methods research design: Types, purposes, strengths, challenges, and criticisms. Global Academic Journal of Linguistics and Literature, 5(1), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.36348/gajll.2023.v05i01.002
Sicam, E. B., Umawid, M. D., Colot, J. D., Dagdag, J. D., & Handrianto, C. (2021). Phenomenology of parenting while schooling among Filipino college student mothers. Kolokium, 9(2), 80–94. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355185583
Wambu, M. (2021). The influence of family and academic challenges on coping strategies among student-mothers. Journal of Education and Practice. https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEP/article/view/2021/student-mothers-coping
Villones, J. I., & Motus, R. H. (2023). Student-mother: The dual role in the new normal mode of learning. Industry and Academic Research Review, 4(1), 245–251.
Xuereb, S. (2014). Why students consider terminating their studies and what convinces them to stay. Active Learning in Higher Education. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258989102
