Support Networks of Single Puerto Rican Mothers of Children with Disabilities

Abstract

The social support networks of 25 Puerto Rican single mothers of young children with disabilities were examined and compared with current models of family support for children with disabilities. This study was designed to assess the support systems of Latino single mothers in light of dominant models of family support. The Family Support Scale, the ECOMAP, and responses to open-ended questions were employed to describe the characteristics of Puerto Rican single mothers' support systems. Study findings suggest that members of the children's immediate and extended kinship system, including non-blood relatives (e.g., madrinas), play a strong role in the support network of the mothers interviewed. Implications for early childhood professionals who work with Latino parents of children with disabilities are examined.

Public health policy and social support for immigrant mothers raising disabled children in Canada

“…For example, caregiving for sick or disabled family members affects women's careers (Scott 2010). The demands and increased levels of stress of raising a disabled child have been well documented both nationally and internationally (Pakenham, Samios, and Sofronoff 2005;Correa et al 2011). Understanding the complex ramifications of care work on maternal mental health also requires public health inquiry, especially given the increased numbers of children with complex conditions living at home (Burton et al 2008a) and who are cared for primarily by their mothers.…”

LATINO IMMIGRANT FAMILIES’ SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORKS: STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS DURING A TIME OF STRINGENT IMMIGRATION LEGISlATION AND ECONOMIC INSECURITY

“…Among these methodological differences are evident. Some studies asked respondents about their sources of social support and then coded these responses into conceptually meaningful categories such as “kin,” “friends,” or “professional helpers” (e.g., Messias, Barrington, & Lacy, ; Ornelas, Perreira, Beeber, & Maxwell, ; Garcia, ) or into categories based on theoretical models of the structure of social networks (e.g., Correa, Bonilla, & Reyes‐McPherson, ), while other studies asked respondents to code their social supports into predetermined categories (e.g., Griffith & Villavicencio, ). In addition, some studies assessed the social networks in the context of specific issues that Latino groups needed support with, such as coping with natural disasters (Messias et al., ), parenting children with disabilities (Correa et al., ), pregnancy (DeAnda & Becerra, ), motherhood (Campbell‐Grossman et al., ) or managing chronic illness (Gleeson‐Kreig, Bernal, & Woolley, ), while other studies examined the social network more generally, inquiring about the sources of social support that participants relied on for any of their needs (e.g., Ornelas et al., ).…”

“…In spite of these differences, in most studies participants identified the family (both nuclear and extended) as a key source of support. Among Latina women, mothers (DeAnda, ; Bender & Castro, ; Ornelas et al., ), spouses (DeAnda, ; Ornelas et al., ; Gleeson‐Kreig et al., ), and female relatives (Correa et al., ; Ornelas et al., ) were commonly mentioned. Siblings (Ornelas et al., ; Cantor, Brennan, & Sainz, ; Griffith & Villavicencio, ; DeAnda, ) and children (Gleeson‐Kreig et al., ; Cantor et al., ; Griffith & Villavicencio, ) were other family members frequently cited by Latinos.…”

“…Furthermore, for some Latinos faith‐based organizations are also a source of social support (Messias et al., ; Ornelas et al., ; Garcia, ). Formal sources of support such as community agencies or healthcare professionals were frequently mentioned by Latino groups who either had a health condition themselves or were caregivers of a family member with a disability or health condition (e.g., Correa et al., ; Gleeson‐Kreig et al., ).…”

“…Mothers are particularly important for new immigrant Mexican women during pregnancy, providing reassurance and transmitting traditional beliefs about childbirth (Bender & Castro, ). In addition, Latino parents of children with special needs rely on their social network for support to cope with caregiving of children with disabilities (Correa et al., ). For some Latino communities, social networks play a role in preserving traditional Latino values that emphasize family and religion and may protect youth from negative outcomes (Denner et al., ).…”