Effects of friend support on the parenting behavior of Latina adolescent mothers

Social support and parenting research with adolescent mothers has principally focused on samples of African American and European American mothers and support provided by the parenting adolescent’s own mother. There are gaps in the available empirical evidence regarding support provided by other members of the adolescent mother’s network and parenting by Latina mothers. The current study explores the number of friends and types of friend social support (emotional, socializing, child care) in a sample of Latina adolescent mothers (N=168). Friend social support types were examined as separate predictors of maternal behaviors displayed during a social play interaction, above and beyond the effect of grandmother support. Friends were found to be a considerable source of support, as 61% of mothers reported some type of support from friends. Mothers reporting greater emotional support from friends displayed more maternal sensitivity and cognitive growth fostering behavior. In contrast, mothers indicating greater friend socializing support displayed less cognitive growth fostering behavior. Child care assistance from friends was related to the display of more detachment and less cognitive growth fostering behavior for younger, but not for older adolescent mothers. These findings emphasize the importance of assessing the types of friend support as separate measures in an ecological context that takes into account mother’s individual and developmental characteristics.

Name thesis:degree_name

MA

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

Kent State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Silberman, Stephanie G.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Grau, Josefina

• Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Minority and Ethnic Groups
• Maternal behavior
• Latina
• Adolescent mothers
• Friend social support

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1365421915

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:kent1365421915