Coping strategies student-mothers employ in pursuing higher education studies in Tanzania: A qualitative study

Abstract

This study explored the coping mechanisms employed by student-mothers pursuing higher education studies in Tanzania. The study involved 16 student-mothers with children aged two years and below. It used semi-structured interview to collect data, which was subjected to thematic analysis. The study found the use of problem focused coping strategies more than emotion-focused coping strategies. The problem-focused coping employed include engaging in part-time jobs and small businesses to manage financial challenges, hiring part time babysitters and using friends/relatives to take care of the child while in class, engaging in private studies during daytime, interacting with hardworking students and severing links with lazy friends. Social support networks, especially support from partners and relatives, were found vital in coping with multiple roles student-mothers perform in higher education institutions. Some coping strategies such as part-time jobs and small businesses created additional time management challenges to student-mothers. Thus, universities should establish strategies aimed to improve retention of student mothers in higher education institutions. These strategies include establishing special hostels for student-mothers to stay with their children and baby assistants while pursuing their studies or establishing day-care centres with professional care-givers to assist student-mothers in caring for their children while studying. There is also a need to empower student-mothers with life skills for them to balance time for studying and parenting. Finally, university authorities should treat student-mothers as student with unique needs that differ from those of male students and other women students without children.