The frequency of divorce in America has resulted in an estimated 11,000,000 minor children living in single-parent homes, usually with mothers as heads of households. Psychological disruption observed in children of recently divorced parents may be, in part, related to the quality of the custodial mother's adjustment to her changed life circumstances. Loss of attachment bonds, changes in daily living patterns, excessive role strain, and the amount of continuing interpersonal conflict all contribute to the degree of post-divorce stress. These factors are compounded for the custodial mother with a traditional sex-role orientation; traditional female role structures contribute to post-divorce stress. Economic dependence on a male results in financial insufficiency following divorce. Subordination to male power results in post-divorce powerlessness and feelings of external control. Reliance on the husband for social identity and support systems results in social isolation and over-investment in the super-wife/super-mom role results in post-divorce role strain. Maternal stress may foster negative and coercive childrearing practices which are reflected in the disrupted behavioral and developmental progress of the children. Intervention approaches to mediate the negative image of single parents must include resocialization, remediation, and research. (NRB)