heir efforts to get a general picture of the effects of social support networks. However, the question can be asked as to more specific effects. For example, in what ways do the social support networks of low income mothers and/or pregnant women empower them? The purpose of this paper is to examine the research relevant to this question. Following this review, the paper formulates a series of conclusions and discusses intervention implications that can be derived from the reviewed research.
Empowerment of Low-Income Mothers and/or Pregnant Women
Mothers. Some of the literature on the empowerment of low-income mothers and/or pregnant women has examined for the effects of social support networks in ethnic minorities---this because of the disproportionate number of ethnic minorities among America's poor. In one current study, Burchinal, Follmer and Bryant (1996) examined the social support networks and family structure of 62 low-income African American mothers. Social support networks and family structure variables were then related to proximal and distal measures of the mother's parenting style and to the children's social and cognitive development.
Findings of the study showed that low-income Black women with larger support networks tend to be more responsive in interactions with their infants and to provide more stimulating home environments than mothers with smaller social networks. In other words, parenting needs can be better met by low income Black mothers with large social support networks. It was concluded that results supported a systems model of parenting behavior and child development by indicating that maternal caregiving may be positively influenced by supportive social networks.
It seems reasonable to state that women are also empowered to the extent that they can be of help in meeting their children's psychoemotional and psychosocial needs. A study conducted by Graham-Bermann, Coupet and Egler (...