Single mothers of early adolescents: perceptions of competence

The purpose of this study was to examine similarities and differences in single mothers' and adolescents' perceptions of parenting competencies from a developmental assets approach. A multi-source (mothers [n = 29] and 10-14-year-old adolescent children [n = 29]), single-method (both generations completed the Parent Success Indicator) investigation was employed. Generational assessments were compared and effects of independent variables were examined. Generational views significantly differed on 9 of 10 items implicating a mother's need for additional information. The presence of an adult at home when the child returned from school and the amount of time the dyad spent together each week significantly differentiated both groups of respondents on areas of parenting. Implications for group-specific parenting curriculum were also discussed.