Social connectedness among parents raising children in low‐income communities: An integrative review

Abstract

Social isolation has been linked to numerous health risks, including depression and mortality. Parents raising children in low-income and under-resourced communities are at an increased risk for experiencing social isolation and its negative effects. Social connectedness (SC), one's sense of belongingness and connection to other people, or a community, has been linked to reduced social isolation and improved health outcomes in the general population, yet little is known about the impact SC has on parents with low incomes. This integrative review aims to describe the current state of the science surrounding SC in parents with low incomes, summarize how SC is being defined and measured, evaluate the quality of the science, and identify gaps in the literature to guide future research. Five electronic databases were searched, yielding 15 articles for inclusion. Empirical studies meeting the following criteria were included: population focused on parents who have low incomes or live in low-income communities and have dependent children, outcomes were parent-centered, SC was a study variable or a qualitative finding, and publication date was before March 2021. Findings emphasize SC as a promising construct that may be protective in the health and well-being of parents and children living in low-income communities. However, a lack of consensus on definitions and measures of SC makes it difficult to build a strong science base for understanding these potential benefits. Future research should focus on understanding the mechanisms by which SC works to benefit parents and their children.

A mixed-methods study of parents’ social connectedness in a group-based parenting program in low-income communities.

“…Research surrounding SC has generally focused on exploring its relationship to loneliness and isolation within older adult populations and in those with mental health disorders (Hare-Duke et al, 2019; Haslam et al, 2015; O’Rourke & Sidani, 2017). However, there is growing interest in the role of SC among other populations at risk of social isolation, such as parents of young children in low-resourced settings (Bess & Doykos, 2014; Keating-Lefler et al, 2004; Plesko et al, 2021; Rank et al, 1998).…”

“…For example, if parents feel their communities are unsafe, they may avoid socializing outside their home in order to protect their children from harm (Parsons et al, 2021). Another barrier parents face in low-resourced settings include difficulty accessing resources that help to facilitate social connections, such as reliable modes of transportation (Plesko et al, 2021). Therefore, creating opportunities for parents raising young children in low-resourced settings to be able to meet and engage with other parents in their communities may be important for helping reduce social isolation in parents, as well as allow them to gain access to important community resources through gained social connections (Rangel et al, 2020).…”

Understanding the role of parents' social connectedness in children's behavioral wellbeing in low‐income communities: A study protocol

“…Explore parents' perceptions and experiences of SC from their participation in the PT group. Social isolation and its associated health risks disproportionately affect those who live in low-income communities due to limited access to resources that help to develop SC, such as reliable transportation and safe neighborhoods (Bess & Doykos, 2014;Plesko et al, 2021). Therefore, SC in the context of group-based PT is an important area to study in schools situated in under-resourced communities.…”

“…Beyond the setting of group‐based PT programs, there has also been little research assessing parents' SC and its relationship to other health outcomes. However, research that has been conducted shows promising outcomes related to SC and parents' health and well‐being (Plesko et al, 2021). Greater parent SC has been associated with decreased parent stress and community interventions helped provide opportunities for parents to form these connections (Acri et al, 2019; McCloskey & Pei, 2019; Plesko et al, 2021).…”

“…However, research that has been conducted shows promising outcomes related to SC and parents' health and well‐being (Plesko et al, 2021). Greater parent SC has been associated with decreased parent stress and community interventions helped provide opportunities for parents to form these connections (Acri et al, 2019; McCloskey & Pei, 2019; Plesko et al, 2021). Given the wide gap in the literature surrounding the concept of SC in health promotion interventions, this study will provide insight into this important area of study by addressing the following specific aims:…”