RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Mothers’ decision-making during times of stress as a lone parent: a qualitative study JF Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps JO J R Army Med Corps FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group SP i26 OP i33 DO 10.1136/jramc-2015-000526 VO 161 IS Suppl 1 A1 Elizabeth MM Bernthal A1 J Lathlean A1 M Gobbi A1 RG Simpson YR 2015 UL http://militaryhealth.bmj.com/content/161/Suppl_1/i26.abstract AB Introduction Little empirical evidence exists to identify the impact that a partner's absence or presence has on the mother's decision-making and her consequential help-seeking behaviour when her child is unwell.Methods This study used a qualitative design in three phases using focus groups and interviews to explore Army mothers’ help-seeking behaviour as a lone parent when their child was unwell during the out-of-hours period. Thirty-one parents from a British Army garrison were interviewed.Results The findings demonstrated that Army life created a combination of stressors for Army mothers, which altered their help-seeking behaviour when their child was unwell. When their partner was available, mothers contacted health services as a last resort, once all other avenues had been exhausted. However, in contrast, in their partners’ absence, they were contacted as a first resort.Conclusion An algorithm was generated from the findings, which illustrates the importance of ascertaining whether the mother is alone at the time of the consultation. Increased emotional vulnerability intensified the need for reassurance and affected a mother's decision-making ability. Primary healthcare staff should ascertain whether mothers are currently lone parents at an early stage of their assessment, as this may influence the entire consultation.