Socio-cultural Determinants of Stress Among Working Mothers in Federal Polytechnic Ukana, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria: A Call for Social Work Intervention

Abstract

This study explored how socio-cultural factors like social support, workplace discriminations bring about stress among working mothers in Federal Polytechnic Ukana, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Social support theory was adopted in this study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. Data was obtained from a randomly selected sample of fifty-three (53) working mothers In-depth Interview Guide (IDI). The study adopted census sampling technique because of the few numbers of female staff in the Federal Polytechnic Ukana, Akwa Ibom. The data gotten from IDI were analysed in themes. Findings from the study showed that majority of the respondents indicated that they have experienced stress. The findings further revealed that lack of access to social support and workplace discrimination about stress among working mothers in Federal Polytechnic Ukana, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study recommends among others that government need to review the working condition of women and regulate same appropriately to ensure that working mothers are mandatorily placed in a position that are not time and energy de- manding. Social workers are also recommended to be involved in some government and organisation policies that will help to reduce work overload for working mothers.