Multigenerational Households and Maternal and Infant Health: The Role of Social Capital in Reducing Health Disparities

• In Event: 30821 - Open Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 9

Abstract

Multigenerational households have long been recognized for their role in providing economic, emotional, and caregiving support. However, their influence on maternal and infant health remains insufficiently explored. This study investigates how social capital within multigenerational living arrangements affects maternal well-being and infant health disparities, with a focus on racially and economically marginalized groups. Drawing on data from the Future of Families & Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), the research examines whether bonding, bridging, and linking social capital—concepts defined by Szreter and Woolcock (2004)—alleviate adverse maternal health outcomes and enhance infant well-being. While existing literature has explored the role of social networks and family support in health disparities (Braveman et al., 2017; Kawachi & Berkman, 2000), this study advances the field by analyzing the distinct interactions between these forms of social capital and structural inequalities. The findings shed light on how extended family networks serve as either protective mechanisms or sources of stress, offering implications for maternal and child health policies and interventions.

Author

• Shannon Marie Feliciano, Lincoln University