Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in:

10-02-2021 | Original Paper

Safety Nets, Maternal Mental Health, and Child Mental Health Outcomes among Mothers Living in Poverty

Auteurs: Melissa Radey, Lenore M. McWey

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies | Uitgave 3/2021

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Of the 40 million people living in poverty in the U.S., approximately 28% are single mothers and 18% are children. Low family income is linked with negative outcomes including higher rates of child mental health concerns. Due to limited public benefit availability, mothers often must rely on informal safety nets, or support from family or friends, to make ends meet. However, these informal safety nets are often coupled with burden, or obligations. To further increase their vulnerability, mothers living in poverty face higher levels of poor mental health. Also, both maternal mental health and safety nets can change over time. The purpose of this study was to examine informal safety nets, including informal support and burden, and maternal mental health and their longitudinal effects on mental health symptoms of children living in low-income families. Relying on data from the Welfare, Children, Families project, descriptive results showed change in informal safety nets, maternal mental health, and child mental health over time, with decline or multiple changes more common than improvement. Multilevel change models indicated safety nets and maternal mental health were associated with child outcomes such that mothers with minimal safety nets, higher psychological distress, and higher parenting stress had children with significantly higher mental health symptoms compared to children whose mothers had healthy safety nets and less distress. Findings speak to the importance of interventions that target both mothers and children in low-income families.
Literatuur
go back to reference Achenbach, T. M 1991). Manual for child behavior checklist/ 4-18 and 1991 profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry. Achenbach, T. M 1991). Manual for child behavior checklist/ 4-18 and 1991 profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.
go back to reference Achenbach, T. M., Krukowski, R. A., Dumenci, L., & Ivanova, M. Y. (2005). Assessment of adult psychopathology: meta-analyses and implications of cross-informant correlations. Psychological Bulletin, 131, 361–382.PubMedCrossRef Achenbach, T. M., Krukowski, R. A., Dumenci, L., & Ivanova, M. Y. (2005). Assessment of adult psychopathology: meta-analyses and implications of cross-informant correlations. Psychological Bulletin, 131, 361–382.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Angel, R., Burton, L., Chase-Lansdale, P. L., Cherlin, A., Moffitt, R., & Wilson, W. J. (2007). Welfare, children, and families: a three-city study. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research. Angel, R., Burton, L., Chase-Lansdale, P. L., Cherlin, A., Moffitt, R., & Wilson, W. J. (2007). Welfare, children, and families: a three-city study. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research.
go back to reference Black, M. M., Dubowitz, H., & Starr, R. H. (1999). African American fathers in low income, urban families: development, behavior, and home environment of their three-year-old children. Child Development, 70, 967–978.PubMedCrossRef Black, M. M., Dubowitz, H., & Starr, R. H. (1999). African American fathers in low income, urban families: development, behavior, and home environment of their three-year-old children. Child Development, 70, 967–978.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Choi, J., & Pyun, H. (2014). Nonresident fathers’ financial support, informal instrumental support, mothers’ parenting, and child development in single-mother families with low income. Journal of Family Issues, 35, 526–546.CrossRef Choi, J., & Pyun, H. (2014). Nonresident fathers’ financial support, informal instrumental support, mothers’ parenting, and child development in single-mother families with low income. Journal of Family Issues, 35, 526–546.CrossRef
go back to reference Coleman, J. S. (1998). Social capital in the creation of human capital. The American Journal of Sociology, 94, S95–S120.CrossRef Coleman, J. S. (1998). Social capital in the creation of human capital. The American Journal of Sociology, 94, S95–S120.CrossRef
go back to reference Derogatis, L. R. (2000). The Brief Symptom Inventory–18 (BSI-18): administration, scoring and procedures manual. Minneapolis, MN: National Computer Systems. Derogatis, L. R. (2000). The Brief Symptom Inventory–18 (BSI-18): administration, scoring and procedures manual. Minneapolis, MN: National Computer Systems.
go back to reference Domínguez, S 2011). Getting ahead: social mobility, public housing, and immigrant networks. New York, NY: NYU Press. Domínguez, S 2011). Getting ahead: social mobility, public housing, and immigrant networks. New York, NY: NYU Press.
go back to reference Duncan, G. J., Magnuson, K., Kalil, A., & Ziol-Guest, K. (2012). The importance of early childhood poverty. Social Indicators Research, 108, 87–98.CrossRef Duncan, G. J., Magnuson, K., Kalil, A., & Ziol-Guest, K. (2012). The importance of early childhood poverty. Social Indicators Research, 108, 87–98.CrossRef
go back to reference Edin, K., & Kissane, R. J. (2010). Poverty and the American family: a decade in review. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 72, 460–479.CrossRef Edin, K., & Kissane, R. J. (2010). Poverty and the American family: a decade in review. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 72, 460–479.CrossRef
go back to reference Edin, K., & Lein, L. (1997). Making ends meet: how single mothers survive welfare and low-wage work. New York, NY: Russel Sage Foundation. Edin, K., & Lein, L. (1997). Making ends meet: how single mothers survive welfare and low-wage work. New York, NY: Russel Sage Foundation.
go back to reference Edin, K., & Shaefer, H. L. (2015). $2.00 a day: living on almost nothing in America. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Edin, K., & Shaefer, H. L. (2015). $2.00 a day: living on almost nothing in America. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
go back to reference Ettinger, A. K., Riley, A. W., & Price, C. E. (2018). Increasing maternal employment influences child overweight/obesity among ethnically diverse families. Journal of Family Issues, 39, 2836–2861.CrossRef Ettinger, A. K., Riley, A. W., & Price, C. E. (2018). Increasing maternal employment influences child overweight/obesity among ethnically diverse families. Journal of Family Issues, 39, 2836–2861.CrossRef
go back to reference Fanti, K. A., & Henrich, C. C. (2010). Trajectories of pure and co-occurring internalizing and externalizing problems from age 2 to age 12: Findings from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care. Developmental Psychology, 46, 1159–1175.PubMedCrossRef Fanti, K. A., & Henrich, C. C. (2010). Trajectories of pure and co-occurring internalizing and externalizing problems from age 2 to age 12: Findings from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care. Developmental Psychology, 46, 1159–1175.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Gazso, A., McDaniel, S., & Waldron, I. (2016). Networks of social support to manage poverty: more changeable than durable. Journal of Poverty, 20, 441–463.CrossRef Gazso, A., McDaniel, S., & Waldron, I. (2016). Networks of social support to manage poverty: more changeable than durable. Journal of Poverty, 20, 441–463.CrossRef
go back to reference Gershoff, E. T., Aber, J. L., Raver, C. C., & Lennon, M. C. (2007). Income is not enough: incorporating material hardship into models of income associations with parenting and child development. Child Development, 78, 70–95.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef Gershoff, E. T., Aber, J. L., Raver, C. C., & Lennon, M. C. (2007). Income is not enough: incorporating material hardship into models of income associations with parenting and child development. Child Development, 78, 70–95.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
go back to reference Harknett, K. S., & Hartnett, C. S. (2011). Who lacks support and why? An examination of mothers’ personal safety nets. Journal of Marriage and Family, 73, 861–875.PubMedCrossRef Harknett, K. S., & Hartnett, C. S. (2011). Who lacks support and why? An examination of mothers’ personal safety nets. Journal of Marriage and Family, 73, 861–875.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Hill, H. D., Romich, J., Mattingly, M. J., Shamsuddin, S., & Wething, H. (2017). An introduction to household economic instability and social policy. Social Service Review, 91, 371–389.CrossRef Hill, H. D., Romich, J., Mattingly, M. J., Shamsuddin, S., & Wething, H. (2017). An introduction to household economic instability and social policy. Social Service Review, 91, 371–389.CrossRef
go back to reference Hoffman, L. (2015). Longitudinal analysis: modeling within-person fluctuation and change. New York, NY: Routledge.CrossRef Hoffman, L. (2015). Longitudinal analysis: modeling within-person fluctuation and change. New York, NY: Routledge.CrossRef
go back to reference Huang, C. Y., Costeines, J., Kaufman, J. S., & Ayala, C. (2014). Parenting stress, social support, and depression for ethnic minority adolescent mothers: Impact on child development. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 23, 255–262.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef Huang, C. Y., Costeines, J., Kaufman, J. S., & Ayala, C. (2014). Parenting stress, social support, and depression for ethnic minority adolescent mothers: Impact on child development. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 23, 255–262.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
go back to reference Institute of Medicine (IOM) (2013). U.S. health in international perspective: shorter lives, poorer health, Report Brief. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences. Institute of Medicine (IOM) (2013). U.S. health in international perspective: shorter lives, poorer health, Report Brief. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences.
go back to reference Jackson, A. P. (1998). The role of social support in parenting for low-income, single, black mothers. Social Service Review, 72, 365–378.CrossRef Jackson, A. P. (1998). The role of social support in parenting for low-income, single, black mothers. Social Service Review, 72, 365–378.CrossRef
go back to reference Jackson, A. P., Brooks-Gunn, J., Huang, C., & Glassman, M. (2000). Single mothers in low-wage jobs: financial strain, parenting, and preschoolers’ outcomes. Child Development, 71, 1409–1423.PubMedCrossRef Jackson, A. P., Brooks-Gunn, J., Huang, C., & Glassman, M. (2000). Single mothers in low-wage jobs: financial strain, parenting, and preschoolers’ outcomes. Child Development, 71, 1409–1423.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Levine, J. (2013). Ain’t no trust: how bosses, boyfriends, and bureaucrats fail low-income mothers and why it matters. Oakland CA: University of California Press.CrossRef Levine, J. (2013). Ain’t no trust: how bosses, boyfriends, and bureaucrats fail low-income mothers and why it matters. Oakland CA: University of California Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Loprest, P., & Nichols, A. (2011). Dynamics of being disconnected from work and TANF. Washington, DC: The Urban Institute. Loprest, P., & Nichols, A. (2011). Dynamics of being disconnected from work and TANF. Washington, DC: The Urban Institute.
go back to reference McLoyd, V. C., & Wilson, L. (1990). Maternal behavior, social support, and economic conditions as predictors of distress in children. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 46, 49–69.CrossRef McLoyd, V. C., & Wilson, L. (1990). Maternal behavior, social support, and economic conditions as predictors of distress in children. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 46, 49–69.CrossRef
go back to reference National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Early Child Care Research Network. (2005). Duration and developmental timing of poverty and children’s cognitive and social development from birth through third grade. Child Development, 76, 795–810.CrossRef National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Early Child Care Research Network. (2005). Duration and developmental timing of poverty and children’s cognitive and social development from birth through third grade. Child Development, 76, 795–810.CrossRef
go back to reference Offer, S. (2012). The burden of reciprocity: processes of exclusion and withdrawal from personal networks among low-income families. Current Sociology, 60, 788–805.CrossRef Offer, S. (2012). The burden of reciprocity: processes of exclusion and withdrawal from personal networks among low-income families. Current Sociology, 60, 788–805.CrossRef
go back to reference Radey, M. (2018). Informal support among low-income mothers post welfare reform: a systematic review. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27, 3782–3805.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef Radey, M. (2018). Informal support among low-income mothers post welfare reform: a systematic review. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27, 3782–3805.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
go back to reference Radey, M., & Brewster, K. L. (2013). Safety net stability among single mothers. Journal of Social Science Research, 39, 397–415. Radey, M., & Brewster, K. L. (2013). Safety net stability among single mothers. Journal of Social Science Research, 39, 397–415.
go back to reference Radey, M., & McWey, L. M. (2019). Informal networks of low-income mothers: support, burden and change. Journal of Marriage and Family, 81, 953–967.PubMedCrossRef Radey, M., & McWey, L. M. (2019). Informal networks of low-income mothers: support, burden and change. Journal of Marriage and Family, 81, 953–967.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Ryan, R. M., Kalil, A., & Leininger, L. (2009). Low-income mothers’ private safety nets and children’s socioemotional well-being. Journal of Marriage and Family, 71, 278–297.CrossRef Ryan, R. M., Kalil, A., & Leininger, L. (2009). Low-income mothers’ private safety nets and children’s socioemotional well-being. Journal of Marriage and Family, 71, 278–297.CrossRef
go back to reference Sandstrom, H., & Huerta, S. (2013). The negative effects of instability on child development: a research synthesis. Washington, DC: The Urban Institute. Sandstrom, H., & Huerta, S. (2013). The negative effects of instability on child development: a research synthesis. Washington, DC: The Urban Institute.
go back to reference Schenck-Fontaine, A., Gassman-Pines, A., & Hill, Z. (2017). Use of informal safety nets during the supplemental nutrition assistance program benefit cycle: how poor families cope with within-month economic instability. Social Service Review, 91, 456–487.CrossRef Schenck-Fontaine, A., Gassman-Pines, A., & Hill, Z. (2017). Use of informal safety nets during the supplemental nutrition assistance program benefit cycle: how poor families cope with within-month economic instability. Social Service Review, 91, 456–487.CrossRef
go back to reference Singer, J. D., & Willett, J. B. (2003). Applied longitudinal data analysis: Modeling change and event occurrence. Oxford University Press. Singer, J. D., & Willett, J. B. (2003). Applied longitudinal data analysis: Modeling change and event occurrence. Oxford University Press.
go back to reference Sommer, T. E., Sabol, T. J., Chor, E., Schneider, P., Chase-Lansdale, L., Brooks-Gunn, J., Small, M. L., King, C., & Yoshikawa, H. (2018). A two-generation human capital approach to anti-poverty. RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, 4, 118–143.CrossRef Sommer, T. E., Sabol, T. J., Chor, E., Schneider, P., Chase-Lansdale, L., Brooks-Gunn, J., Small, M. L., King, C., & Yoshikawa, H. (2018). A two-generation human capital approach to anti-poverty. RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, 4, 118–143.CrossRef
go back to reference Stack, C. (1974). All our kin: strategies for survival in a Black community. New York, NY: Harper & Row. Stack, C. (1974). All our kin: strategies for survival in a Black community. New York, NY: Harper & Row.
go back to reference Taylor, R. D. (2015). Kin social undermining, adjustment and family relations among low-income African American mothers and adolescents: moderating effects of kin social support. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24, 1271–1284.CrossRef Taylor, R. D. (2015). Kin social undermining, adjustment and family relations among low-income African American mothers and adolescents: moderating effects of kin social support. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24, 1271–1284.CrossRef
go back to reference Taylor, R. D., Budescu, M., & Gebre, A. (2016). Distressing mother–adolescent relations and psychological well-being in low income African American families: moderating effects of demanding kin relations. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25, 678–690.CrossRef Taylor, R. D., Budescu, M., & Gebre, A. (2016). Distressing mother–adolescent relations and psychological well-being in low income African American families: moderating effects of demanding kin relations. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25, 678–690.CrossRef
go back to reference Taylor, R. D., Lopez, E. I., Budescu, M., & McGill, R. K. (2012). Parenting practices and adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems: moderating effects of socially demanding kin relations. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21, 474–485.CrossRef Taylor, R. D., Lopez, E. I., Budescu, M., & McGill, R. K. (2012). Parenting practices and adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems: moderating effects of socially demanding kin relations. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21, 474–485.CrossRef
go back to reference Taylor, Z. E., & Conger, R. D. (2017). Promoting strengths and resilience in single‐mother families. Child Development, 88, 350–358.PubMedCrossRef Taylor, Z. E., & Conger, R. D. (2017). Promoting strengths and resilience in single‐mother families. Child Development, 88, 350–358.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Turney, K., & Kao, G. (2009). Pre-kindergarten child care and behavioral outcomes among children of immigrants. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 24, 432–444.CrossRef Turney, K., & Kao, G. (2009). Pre-kindergarten child care and behavioral outcomes among children of immigrants. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 24, 432–444.CrossRef
go back to reference Wolf, S., & Morrissey, T. (2017). Economic instability, food insecurity, and child health in the wake of the Great Recession. Social Service Review, 91, 534–570.CrossRef Wolf, S., & Morrissey, T. (2017). Economic instability, food insecurity, and child health in the wake of the Great Recession. Social Service Review, 91, 534–570.CrossRef
Metagegevens
Titel
Safety Nets, Maternal Mental Health, and Child Mental Health Outcomes among Mothers Living in Poverty
Auteurs
Melissa Radey
Lenore M. McWey
Publicatiedatum
10-02-2021
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Child and Family Studies / Uitgave 3/2021
Print ISSN: 1062-1024
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2843
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-01909-3

Andere artikelen Uitgave 3/2021

Journal of Child and Family Studies 3/2021 Naar de uitgave