Social Capital's Influence on Behavioral Health Outcomes Among Mothers of Fragile Families

Background:Disparities in maternal behavioral health outcomes have a long association with women’s socioeconomic statuses (SES). While the association between behavioral health and SES are clear, the causal mechanisms behind this association are still largely debated. One causal mechanism worth considering is that of social capital. Social capital is considered a multidimensional health determinant that impacts individuals at diverse system levels through individuals’ use of supportive social networks. While social capital appears to buffer the effects of behavioral health outcomes, little research has conducted a longitudinal analysis of its impact on low-income mothers’ behavioral health. Focusing on the protective factors present within vulnerable communities may be especially key to developing interventions with a capacity to positively impact mothers with mental health and substance use issues. Given the long-lasting effects of poor behavioral health on a given family unit, it is important to continue examining the role of hypothesized protective factors among low-income individuals and their communities.  In turn, this may help to lead to an increase in justice-oriented approaches to behavioral health issues in low-income communities.

Methods:Longitudinal data were collected using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing data. FFCW is unique in that it oversamples unmarried, minority parents to help present a picture of an especially vulnerable group of parents. These families are typically at an increased risk of experiencing poverty, along with its adverse effects. Analyses considered the cohort of families completing waves 5 and 9 of the study. The sample for this study includes 4,898 mothers of young children. Logistic regressions were performed to examine associations between social capital indicators (i.e. trust, cohesion, control, participation) and mothers’ risk for depression and substance abuse controlling for age, race, education, marital status and perceptions of personal well-being.

Results: Results indicate that higher perceptions of personal wellbeing were associated with a decreased probably of depression in mothers (OR= .516, 95%CI=.458-.582, p= .000). Higher perceptions of personal wellbeing (OR= .737, 95%CI= .663-.820 p= .000) and lower social participation (OR= 1.16, 95%CI= 1.01-1.33, p= .039) were associated with an increased odds of substance abuse. Higher perceptions of trust (OR= 1.26, 95%CI= .1.03-1.55, p= .025) decreased the odds of co-occurring substance abuse and depression while lower neighborhood cohesions (OR= .916, 95%CI= .839-.998, p= .046) and personal wellbeing (OR= .487, 95%CI= .400-.592, p= .000) were associated with increased odds of co-occurring substance abuse and depression.

Conclusions: Results suggest that the neighborhood characteristics present in low-income mothers’ communities may play a role in their behavioral health statuses. Focusing on community-oriented interventions that promote social capital among marginalized communities may help buffer already vulnerable families from additional risk of poor behavioral health outcomes.