Robert S Dembo1, Nick Huntington2, Monika Mitra3, Abby E Rudolph4, Margie E Lachman5, Marsha R Mailick6. 1. Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA. Electronic address: rdembo@wisc.edu. 2. Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 S. Street, Waltham, MA, 02453, USA. Electronic address: nhuntington@brandeis.edu. 3. Lurie Institute for Disability Policy, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 S. Street, Waltham, MA, 02453, USA. Electronic address: mmitra@brandeis.edu. 4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Temple University College of Public Health, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA. Electronic address: abby.rudolph@temple.edu. 5. Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, 415 S. Street, Waltham, MA, 02453, USA. Electronic address: lachman@brandeis.edu. 6. Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, USA. Electronic address: marsha.mailick@wisc.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: There is increasing interest in the role of contextual factors in promoting well-being among parents of children with developmental disabilities. This study aimed to examine whether social network types moderate the impacts of having a child with a developmental disability on parents' health. METHODS: Using cross-sectional data from the Midlife in the United States survey (MIDUS 2 and Refresher cohorts), we analyzed a sample of 363 parents of children with developmental disabilities and 4,919 parents of children without developmental disabilities. K-means cluster analysis was implemented to identify a social network typology. Modified Poisson and negative binomial regression models estimated the effect of having a child with a developmental disability and the typology on parents' physical health (self-rated health, number of chronic conditions) and mental health (self-rated mental health, major depression). RESULTS: The cluster analysis revealed two social network types. Parents of children with developmental disabilities were more likely to have "restricted/unsupported" networks, whereas parents in the comparison group were more likely to have "diverse/supported" networks. Social support was more important for differentiating the network types of parents of children with developmental disabilities, while social integration was more salient for the comparison group. Parents of children with developmental disabilities fared worse on all outcomes relative to parents of children without disabilities. However, the typology had a compensatory psychological effect; the diverse/supported network type conferred greater mental health benefits to parents of children with developmental disabilities than to those in the comparison group. The diverse/supported network type was also associated with better physical health, but the associations did not differ between the two parent groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study emphasize the importance of social determinants of well-being for those with exceptional parenting responsibilities. Strengthening social networks may have a particularly positive impact on such parents' mental health.
OBJECTIVE: There is increasing interest in the role of contextual factors in promoting well-being among parents of children with developmental disabilities. This study aimed to examine whether social network types moderate the impacts of having a child with a developmental disability on parents' health. METHODS: Using cross-sectional data from the Midlife in the United States survey (MIDUS 2 and Refresher cohorts), we analyzed a sample of 363 parents of children with developmental disabilities and 4,919 parents of children without developmental disabilities. K-means cluster analysis was implemented to identify a social network typology. Modified Poisson and negative binomial regression models estimated the effect of having a child with a developmental disability and the typology on parents' physical health (self-rated health, number of chronic conditions) and mental health (self-rated mental health, major depression). RESULTS: The cluster analysis revealed two social network types. Parents of children with developmental disabilities were more likely to have "restricted/unsupported" networks, whereas parents in the comparison group were more likely to have "diverse/supported" networks. Social support was more important for differentiating the network types of parents of children with developmental disabilities, while social integration was more salient for the comparison group. Parents of children with developmental disabilities fared worse on all outcomes relative to parents of children without disabilities. However, the typology had a compensatory psychological effect; the diverse/supported network type conferred greater mental health benefits to parents of children with developmental disabilities than to those in the comparison group. The diverse/supported network type was also associated with better physical health, but the associations did not differ between the two parent groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study emphasize the importance of social determinants of well-being for those with exceptional parenting responsibilities. Strengthening social networks may have a particularly positive impact on such parents' mental health.
Authors: Ziggi Ivan Santini; Ai Koyanagi; Stefanos Tyrovolas; Josep M Haro; Katherine L Fiori; Richard Uwakwa; Jotheeswaran A Thiyagarajan; Martin Webber; Martin Prince; A Matthew Prina Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2015-11-04 Impact factor: 4.634
Authors: Robyn A Cree; Rebecca H Bitsko; Lara R Robinson; Joseph R Holbrook; Melissa L Danielson; Camille Smith; Jennifer W Kaminski; Mary Kay Kenney; Georgina Peacock Journal: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Date: 2018-12-21 Impact factor: 17.586