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Family networks in prenatal and postnatal health
1Department of Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
Insights
Kin access does not improve prenatal or postnatal health practices for young mothers. Living with a partner, however, is linked to better prenatal care and reduced alcohol use during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Sociology of Health & Medicine
- Reproductive Health
- Maternal and Child Health
Background:
- Family and social networks play a crucial role in maternal and child health outcomes.
- Previous research suggests potential benefits of kin support for pregnant individuals.
- Understanding these dynamics is vital for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of kin access on prenatal health practices, birth outcomes, and postnatal infant health.
- To examine the influence of kin proximity, maternal grandmother proximity, and father's presence on maternal behaviors.
- To control for socioeconomic and demographic factors affecting maternal and infant health.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and its child cohort.
- Created special kin access data files for this specific study.
- Employed logistic regression analysis on a sample of 1,030 mothers for health practices and 1,385 for birth outcomes, controlling for covariates.
Main Results:
- No evidence found that kin access positively influences prenatal or postnatal health practices.
- Mothers living with partners or husbands showed higher likelihood of seeking early prenatal care and avoiding alcohol.
- Increased kin proximity was associated with a decreased probability of breastfeeding.
Conclusions:
- Reliance on kin networks alone is insufficient to enhance healthy birth outcomes.
- Partner/husband presence appears more beneficial for specific prenatal health practices than kin access.
- Further research is needed to explore effective strategies for improving maternal and infant health.
Abstract:
This paper examines the effects of kin access on prenatal health practices, birth outcome, and postnatal health practice for infants born to black and white mothers ages 21 to 28 in the U.S. during 1984-86. The data used for this research were compiled from three sources: (1) The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth; (2) The Children of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth; (3) special kin access data files, which were created specifically for this study. Logistic regression procedures are used to assess the effects of kin proximity, maternal grandmother proximity, and presence of the child's father on health practices (N = 1,030) and birth outcome (N = 1,385), controlling for the mother's educational attainment, work experience, poverty, presence of the child's father, and birth order of the child. We find no evidence supporting the notion that kin access positively affects the prenatal and postnatal health practices of young mothers. The results suggest that young mothers who reside with their mothers or other adult kin, and those who are in close proximity to them, are no more likely to seek prenatal care during the first trimester, or to avoid smoking or drinking during pregnancy. Mothers who live with a sexual partner or husband are, however, somewhat more likely to seek prenatal care and to avoid alcohol use during pregnancy. Closer kin access is associated with a lower probability of breastfeeding. These results suggest that it will not be adequate to rely on kin networks or kin assistance to improve the prospect of healthy birth outcomes.
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