What do we know about the social networks of single parents who do not use supportive services?

Abstract

The role that social support and social networks play in mediating isolation and stress experienced by vulnerable families is well established. However, a major issue facing supportive human services is to find and engage families with limited social networks and link them to supports that could improve outcomes for their families. This paper reports on the results of in‐depth interviews with 20 sole parents with children aged under 5 who were not well connected to services. It documents their social networks with the use of a social network map. Using a social capital lens, the analysis attempts to differentiate the different relationships in the participants' lives. Most participants were not satisfied with their informal networks, with conflicted or ambivalent reliance on family, absence of support and community engagement and fragility of informal networks. Although this group of isolated mothers does encounter the formal service system, the opportunities to increase and strengthen their networks do not eventuate. Better understanding of the nature and extent of social networks can inform practitioners and policy‐makers of the critical factors needed to increase service use for parents with limited resources.

Parents’ perceived social support and children’s psychological adjustment

“…These findings are not surprising, since both single and divorced parents are alone in raising children and face a heavier burden trying to balance child care and education, household chores and work (Jones et al., 2018). This leaves them with little time to socialize and make new friends, which can explain their higher levels of isolation (McArthur & Winkworth, 2016). Because they cannot rely on support from a partner with child-rearing tasks, it is expectable that they exhibit higher need for support, which is probably rarely met by friends and relatives (Rajendran et al., 2015).…”

Promoting the health of mothers of young children in Australia: A review of face‐to‐face and online support

“…However, development of connections for sole mothers was challenging due to many lacking the necessary resources to be able to engage in reciprocity 30 . Furthermore, in the face‐to‐face setting, the benefit of shared experiences was sometimes juxtaposed by exclusion and judgement 26,27,29 .…”

“…Limited individual and environmental resources contributed to the lack of engagement in face‐to‐face groups and indicate the need for further service development. The observation that vulnerable families lacked adequate resources for initial engagement and reciprocity to extend relationships outside the group setting 30,32 could be addressed by the provision of more accessible, no cost support groups such as the co‐location of playgroups in shopping centres 44 . A lag in the establishment of the essential physical and social infrastructure in newer residential areas was also identified as limiting engagement in social support groups 36,37 .…”

The effect of natural disasters on household economic hardship during a pandemic

“…For example, debt and foreclosure counseling helps prevent foreclosures (Collins & Schmeiser, 2013), and improving budgeting and financial management skills should reduce food insecurity (Gaines et al, 2014; Gundersen & Garasky, 2012). Building social networks at the community level is also necessary for the economic well‐being of families with limited social support (Lipman & Boyle, 2005; McArthur & Winkworth, 2017). In areas with a high risk of natural disasters, community‐based social support and education programs will help vulnerable families to make better financial decisions and build resilience in the aftermath of adverse events.…”