Research That Matters (January 17 - 20, 2008)

Purpose: Informal support and social networks often play an important role in the survival of individuals living in poverty, especially single mothers of young children (Edin & Lein, 1997; Newman, 1999; Stack, 1974). This support can give mothers a much-needed safety net by providing basic necessities or job connections in crisis situations, such as illness, eviction, or unemployment (Edin & Lein, 1997; Henly, 2002). Social support is positively related to health and mental health outcomes (Wethington & Kessler, 1986; Turner & Turner, 1999), material well-being (Henly, Danziger, & Offer, 2005), employment, and earnings (Harknett, 2006). In light of the importance of social support for maternal and child well-being, this study examines: (1) how race/ethnicity influences safety net strength among non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic Whites, (2) how family and socioeconomic resources influence safety net strength, and (3) whether the influence of structural resources on safety net strength is contingent upon race/ethnicity.

Methods: This study uses the Fragile Families and Child Well-being Study, a national, longitudinal study of unmarried parents experiencing a birth in 1998. Designed to illuminate the physical, social, and economic well-being of single-mother families in large US cities, the dataset includes 4,898 mothers and their newborn babies with follow-up interviews one, three, and five years after the child's birth. We use Year 3 data to examine mothers who were unmarried at the time of giving birth and remained unmarried throughout the child's first three years (N = 1,813). We constructed a safety net index by summing mothers' access to $200, $1,000, $1,000 bank loan, $5,000 bank loan, a place to live, and child care (alpha = 0.73). Data analysis included descriptive statistics and ordinary least squares regressions modeling race/ethnicity, family and mental health characteristics, socioeconomic resources, and race/ethnic interactions.

Findings: Descriptive findings showed that single mothers often were financially vulnerable and did not perceive access to a complete safety net to meet financial, housing, and child care needs—only 25 percent had access to all emergency social supports. On a scale of 0 (no support) to 6 (complete support), single mothers averaged 3.69 (s.d. = 1.89). Whites had significantly higher scores (4.20) than Blacks (3.55) and Hispanics (3.75). Multivariate models supported that Hispanics and Blacks perceive less support than their White counterparts. Family, mental health, and socioeconomic characteristics were directly related to safety net availability. Generally, lower levels of resources and poor mental health were related to weaker safety nets. However, the influence of predictors depends upon race/ethnicity. Among Hispanics and Blacks, financial vulnerability, measured by low education levels, low incomes, and few assets, was related to weak safety nets. However, among Whites, financial vulnerability was not related to safety net strength.

Implications: Highly-variable and disadvantaged safety nets suggest that informal supports cannot be expected to substitute for social welfare assistance. Instead, the absence of a safety net compounds Blacks' and Hispanics' individual-level disadvantage. We discuss safety net inequalities in light of welfare reform and present implications for social work practice, policy, and research.