Involvement of the Personal Social Network as a Factor in Parent Education Effectiveness

Abstract

This study examined the impact of mothers' involvement with their social networks upon their self-reported changes in behaviors and attitudes due to a parenting intervention-in this case monthly, age-paced parenting newsletters. Path analyses revealed that discussing and sharing newsletter copies with others was associated with greater self-reported change but did not significantly mediate the relationship between newsletter use and parental change. Rather, individual use of the newsletter and social sharing of the content had independent effects on parenting. The results support a general view that the advice of parenting programs is not accepted or rejected in a vacuum, but often within the context of discussions within the participants' existing social networks. This suggests two practical implications for program developers: (a) Interventions might be more effective if they encouraged such social network processing of program advice, and (b) programs might even target social networks rather than individual parents as their clients.

Impacts of a Parenting Newsletter on Fathers of Kindergarten Children

“…Though the response rate for this study was approximately 42 percent, it was quite comparable to response rates reported in prior newsletter research (Bogenschneider & Stone, 1997;Riley et al, 1991;Walker & Riley, 2001). There were some minor challenges in the distribution of the newsletter and collection of the questionnaires.…”

“…In future efforts, newsletters could be combined to include sections that specifically address both fathers and mothers. Such parenting newsletters may influence mothers, mother figures, fathers, and father figures to increase recognition, respect, and support for the importance of both roles in the growth and development of children, as well as the interactions between parents and with others (Walker & Riley, 2001).…”

Social Support Networks and Maternal Mental Health and Well-Being

“…90,99 For example, mothers' social networks may influence whether they are likely to enter and continue in an intervention. In a study examining participation in prevention programs, women with lower density networks and less frequent contact with kin were more likely to seek child-rearing advice than women in denser, more kin-involved networks.…”

“…93,94 Given the stress related to parenting, particularly in mothers from at-risk communities, there have been numerous interventions targeted toward improving parenting competence and, thus, decreasing the associated stress and strain on the mothers' emotional and mental health. 95 Although studies have addressed social networks in mental health interventions 96 and social networks and social support in parenting interventions, 71,90 there is only limited information on the role of social networks in mental health interventions specially for mothers. The importance of incorporating supportive social networks into interventions aimed at mothers is highlighted by the fact that these interventions are often conducted in groups.…”

“…Members of a social network may offer support to a mother by taking on childcare responsibilities, giving parenting advice, or simply offering encouragement. 40,67,87,90 For mothers of young children, the availability of two aspects of social support is particularly helpful: someone to assist with childcare and someone to turn to for emotional aid. Childcare assistance (e.g., babysitting, discussion of child-rearing problems) is positively linked to the quality of motherchild interactions; low-income mothers with such support are less dominating, emotionally warmer, and responsive to their child's needs and they experience feelings of confidence and general well-being.…”