Relationship Between Child’s Social-Emotional Outcomes and Social Support Among Single-Mother Families (Poster 30)

• In Event: Thursday Poster Session 4:20 pm
  In Poster Session: Critical Issues in Family, School, Community Partnerships

Abstract

Using data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing study (N = 463), the current study examined the role of social support among single mother families in the U.S. We tested whether different types of support at age 3 (non-resident fathers’ financial and parenting support, family/friends’ financial support, and governmental support) moderated children's social-emotional outcomes measured by social competence and internalizing/externalizing behavior problems at age 5. The findings revealed that non-resident fathers’ financial support at age 3 predicted better social competence at age 5, and family/friends’ financial support predicted lower levels of children’s internalizing/externalizing behavior problems for families in the low poverty group only. The study provides valuable insights into the protective factors for single mothers and their children.

Authors

• Ekaterina Novikova, University of Delaware

• Seulki Ku, Erikson Institute

• Myae Han, University of Delaware