Negotiating Survival: Social Capital and Economic Survival Strategies among Rural Single Mothers in Kedah, Malaysia

Rural single mothers constitute one of the most socioeconomically vulnerable groups, facing persistent challenges related to unstable employment, financial insecurity, and extensive caregiving responsibilities. While previous studies have widely acknowledged the importance of social capital in supporting vulnerable households, limited attention has been given to how social capital interacts with broader livelihood strategies to sustain the economic resilience of rural single mothers. Addressing this gap, this study examines the role of social capital in shaping the economic survival strategies of rural single mothers from a sociological perspective. A quantitative case study was conducted among 30 rural single mothers in Mukim Siong, Baling District, Kedah, Malaysia. Data were collected using structured questionnaires complemented by open-ended interviews. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively using SPSS, while qualitative responses were examined through thematic analysis using NVivo. The findings indicate that respondents possessed a moderate level of social capital, with interpersonal relationships providing stronger support than institutional or digital networks. Moral support, access to employment opportunities through personal networks, and community relationships emerged as the most valuable social resources. The qualitative findings further identified four interconnected economic survival strategies adopted by rural single mothers: informal livelihood diversification, micro-entrepreneurship, community-based skills development, and financial agency through savings and prudent household financial management. These strategies illustrate that social capital functions not as an isolated resource but as an enabling mechanism that facilitates livelihood adaptation and household resilience under conditions of prolonged socioeconomic vulnerability. This study contributes to the sociological literature by demonstrating that the economic survival of rural single mothers is shaped by the interaction between social capital and adaptive livelihood strategies rather than by financial resources alone. The findings also provide practical implications for strengthening community development initiatives and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

social capital; sociology of family; economic survival; rural single mothers; community resilience

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