The interplay of autonomy and relatedness in Hong Kong Chinese single mothers

The mediating effects of autonomy and relatedness on the relationship between self-esteem and life satisfaction were investigated among 49 single mothers. Among all tested variables in the dimension of relatedness, only network orientation (propensity to utilize one's available social support) was a mediator of the positive relationship between self-esteem and life satisfaction. No variable in the dimension of autonomy was a mediator. Three components of self-actualization contributed to the model: self-regard mediated the relationship between self-esteem and network orientation, spontaneity contributed to network orientation, self-acceptance contributed to life satisfaction directly and indirectly by contributing to self-regard. Findings suggest that Chinese single mothers' psychological adjustment can be enhanced by fostering their self-regard, self-acceptance, and readiness to seek help from trusted others.