When is it approprite to refer to someone as "Miss (first name)"? In the US south, where my family's from, "Miss Jane" (unmarried) or "Miz Jane" (married)would be a respectful way of referring to a mature woman. It was/is also used in a social status way to show respect for
"one's betters." Is it the same in Jamaica?

Generally, it's an honorific, rather than social status nomenclature (tho it can be that,too, worker-to-employer), applicable to either married or unmarried women -- and not just 'of a certain age'. It connotes 'props'/respect. But some women
prefer that it not be used for them as it hints of age or spinsterhood, the latter still a term used in Jamaica for an unmarried woman over age 30, as some brides getting married on island have discovered to their chagrin in the official paperwork.

Miss is a way of showing respect, growing in Jamaica as a young girl it is used as a form of respect married or unmarried, old or young and for someone in authority as in your boss, If you are a teacher 18yrs old you'll be called Miss. I don't think it has anything to do with hiding ones age, or spinsterhood.

Just have to post on this topic because it brings such a smile to my face: some of the teenage men of Billy's Bay - McCarl and Camron, Camar and Shadane, among others, call me Miss Susan when we visit. Last year, we brought a friend Bonnie with us and over the two weeks she was there, they used the same term of respect 'Miss' with her....except for some reason they transformed Bonnie into Barney. Since then, she remains forever and a day, back here at home in Jemseg, Canada - Miss Barney.

My first cook on island blanched when I called her 'Miss' and insisted she was too young still
and in her words 'not a spinster'. The maid simply chuckled.

Hahaha! I had a good laugh when I saw Spinster on a marriage certificate!!
Miss works fine for me, it was being called mammy that really freaked me out!!!

My son went to school in Jamaica, and now, back in the states, he still uses the term "Miss" as a form of respect.
I, of course, smile when I hear it because here it is unfortunately, a lost art here and I wish it would catch back on.

In Jamaica growing up as a child myself and my other siblings without choice had to address people as Mister,Mrs, Miss,Brother,Aunt,Uncle out of respect even when there were no relation whatsoever.I'm happy for my up-bringing and I have thought my kids to respect the elderly and show kindness to all.We sure need more of that old fashion teaching in these times.Rudeness has taken over and I'm so amaized to see the way little ones talk to their parents.Beating a child is not the answer, teaching is.