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Published on: September 19, 2019
Factors associated with variations in parental social support in primary care pediatric settings
Sandra H Jee1, Matthew M Davis
1Division of General Pediatrics and Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48106-1248, USA. shjee@med.umich.edu
Insights
Social support (SS) varied among parents in different pediatric outpatient settings. Factors like race, marital status, and parental health influenced SS levels, highlighting risks for low support in disadvantaged communities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Social Sciences
- Public Health
Background:
- Social support (SS) is crucial for parental well-being.
- Understanding SS variations across different socioeconomic settings is important for targeted interventions.
- Previous research indicates SS can be influenced by various demographic and health factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate social support (SS) levels in parents receiving care across sociodemographically diverse pediatric outpatient settings.
- To identify key factors associated with varying levels of overall SS among parents.
- To inform healthcare providers about identifying parents at risk for low social support.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, anonymous parent survey was administered in three distinct primary care sites (inner-city, urban, suburban).
- Participants included parents of children aged 6 weeks to 36 months.
- Multivariate linear regression analysis examined sociodemographic and health factors linked to overall SS scores, measured by a validated 10-item instrument.
Main Results:
- The study included 463 parents, with spouses/partners and grandparents identified as primary SS sources.
- Overall SS scores ranged from 0 to 20 (mean 12.1, SD ±4.2).
- Parents in the inner-city health center reported the lowest SS quartile (43%) compared to urban (23%) and suburban (16%) practices. Lower SS was associated with non-white/black race, single/cohabiting status, poorer parental health, and depressive symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Parental social support (SS) was lowest in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged community but showed wide variation across all settings.
- Healthcare providers can identify parents at higher risk for low SS by inquiring about their physical and mental health.
- This approach can facilitate timely interventions and support for vulnerable families.
Objective:
To examine social support (SS) among parents across sociodemographically distinct pediatric outpatient settings.
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional, self-administered, anonymous parent survey in 3 primary care sites in a Midwestern metropolitan area: inner-city health center, urban group practice, and suburban group practice. Participants were parents of children aged 6 weeks to 36 months. The main outcome measure was overall SS as measured by a previously validated 10-item instrument. Multivariate linear regression modeling was used to examine sociodemographic and health factors associated with overall SS scores.
Results:
The study sample included 463 parents. The strongest sources of SS were a significant other or spouse and parent's parent or grandparent. The range for overall SS was 0 to 20, with a mean score of 12.1 (SD, +/-4.2). Parents with overall SS in the lowest quartile (n = 123) comprised 43% of parents at the inner-city health center compared with 23% of parents at the urban practice and 16% of parents at the suburban practice. In a multivariate model, factors associated with lower overall SS were race other than white or black, single or cohabiting marital status, poorer parental health, and parental depressive symptoms.
Conclusions:
Although parental SS was lowest in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged community in this sample, parents in all 3 communities had widely varying levels of support. Providers may gain insights about parents at increased risk for low SS by asking about parents' own physical and mental health.
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