EXPERIENCES OF STUDENTS WHO ARE SINGLE MOTHERS ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW FROM 1997- 2019

Abstract

The rapid growth in population of students who are single mothers on university campuses is a concern for many. A greater percent of these students either drop out or delay to graduate. Seemingly, there is a gap in ways these students are being supported. Studies show that this group of students has attracted little attention in the literature, despite their vulnerability and multiple responsibilities they have to balance. Thus, limiting the resources on how these group of students can be better served. A systematic review of literature from 1997 to 2019 was conducted to establish the experiences of students who are single mothers and identify the gaps in ways these students are being supported on university campuses. The findings of the study show that the experiences of students who are single mothers are several and can be summarized into groups as sociological factors, psychological factors, economics, and structural factors. These factors are intertwined and their effects vary by attitude, institutional culture, and nationality. Based on the findings, the study suggests the best practices to support students who are single mothers to continue on with their higher education. The implications for institutional leaders, policymakers, and students who are single mothers are presented.