Direct Social Support for Young High Risk Children: Relations with Behavioral and Emotional Outcomes across Time

Abstract

This study is unique in addressing developmental correlates of direct social support for young children in a high risk sample, in contrast to previous studies addressing social support for caregivers. Participants were drawn from a prospective, longitudinal study of at-risk children. Social support was rated from maternal interviews throughout early childhood. Support from the mother was assessed from mother-child observations. Outcomes included internalizing and externalizing behavior problems measured from first through tenth grades. The most common support providers were biological fathers, followed by grandparents and other providers. Using multilevel modeling, higher quantity, higher quality, and lower disruption of support predicted lower starting levels of behavior problems, controlling for support from the mother. Disruption was associated with change in slope. Gender differences were found for externalizing behavior intercepts. Social support provides a promotive factor for young high risk children. Implications include involving children's social support providers in prevention and intervention programs.

Exploratory analysis of child protection mediation permanency placement outcomes

“…It is widely acknowledged that permanency, and the emotional attachments that can accompany it, are of paramount importance to a child's social and emotional development (Jenson & Fraser, 2006;Jones-Harden, 2004). Research has found that positive experiences with supportive adults may contribute directly to behavior and relationships later in life (Appleyard, Egeland, & Sroufe, 2007). Some developmental studies have concluded that children who do not have at least one strong attachment to a caring adult are at increased risk of experiencing challenges later in life with regulating their own emotions, interacting with others, and coping with stressful situations (Carlson & Sroufe, 1995;Murphy, Bandy, Schmitz, & Moore, 2013;Scales & Leffert, 1999).…”

Potential sources of support for children who have been emotionally abused by parents

“…Although practitioners can neither alter a child's genetic inheritance nor force a parent to love a rejected child, they are able to influence the wider environment in terms of ensuring effective support for the child. There is growing body of evidence that good social support and "buffering" factors can be beneficial in cases of child abuse (Appleyard, Egeland & Sroufe, 2007;McLewin & Muller, 2006;Pepin & Banyard, 2006;Runtz & Schallow, 1997;Tomison & Wise, 1999;Vranceanu, Hobfoll & Johnson, 2007) and specifically in relation to emotionally abused children (Doyle, 1997;Iwaniec, 2006;Iwaniec et al, 2006). Doyle (2001) for example found that adult survivors identified extended family members as the most important buffer factors.…”

Factors Associated With Health Behaviors in Middle Childhood

“…Protective resources that involve the interactions of personal and environmental characteristics have been identified among such resilient children (Somchit & Sriyaporn, 2004). Social connectedness and support have been identified as protective resources that buffer the effects of extreme risk conditions such as poverty and neighborhoods with high crime and violence (Appleyard, Egeland, & Sroufe, 2007; Frauenglass, Routh, Pantin, & Mason, 1997). Having a sense of humor has been shown to improve health outcomes in children with high levels of stress (Dowling, Hockenberry, & Gregory, 2003).…”