Class
Article
College
Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
Department
English Department
Faculty Mentor
Lisa Boyce
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Social support has been shown as a protective factor for parental mental health and for parents’ ability to deal with daily stressful events. Parenting stress and mental health can negatively impact child outcomes. The current study examines the role of social support in mental health, stressful events, and family interactions of mothers who are students at USU. Data from 38 student-parent mothers were collected as part of the Childcare Access Means Parents in School grant. Mothers completed various surveys and questionnaires via Qualtrics that were related to social support, mental health, stressful events, and family interactions. Results indicate negative associations between social support and mental health, stressful events and family interactions. However, mothers who reported greater respectful interactions with their partner also reported higher perceived social support. Future implications could include: 1. Starting support groups or monthly activities prenatally would provide mothers with a foundational social network to rely on during the postnatal period and 2. Ensuring that student mothers have access to mental health professionals and resources for education to help them gain additional coping skills could prevent the negative impact of stress and depression on their children.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-8-2022 12:00 AM
Included in
Depression, Event Load, and Personal Vulnerability in Mothers of Young Children
Logan, UT
Social support has been shown as a protective factor for parental mental health and for parents’ ability to deal with daily stressful events. Parenting stress and mental health can negatively impact child outcomes. The current study examines the role of social support in mental health, stressful events, and family interactions of mothers who are students at USU. Data from 38 student-parent mothers were collected as part of the Childcare Access Means Parents in School grant. Mothers completed various surveys and questionnaires via Qualtrics that were related to social support, mental health, stressful events, and family interactions. Results indicate negative associations between social support and mental health, stressful events and family interactions. However, mothers who reported greater respectful interactions with their partner also reported higher perceived social support. Future implications could include: 1. Starting support groups or monthly activities prenatally would provide mothers with a foundational social network to rely on during the postnatal period and 2. Ensuring that student mothers have access to mental health professionals and resources for education to help them gain additional coping skills could prevent the negative impact of stress and depression on their children.