DOES NEIGHBORHOOD AND FAMILY POVERTY AFFECT MOTHERS PARENTING, MENTAL-HEALTH, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT

The effects of neighborhood and family poverty and other components of socioeconomic status on maternal psychological and behavioral characteristics are estimated using data from an eight-site study of 3-year-olds and their mothers (n = 895). Three measures of the home environment (physical environment, provision of learning experiences, and warmth of the mother) and three maternal characteristics (depression, social support, and coping) were assessed. Neighborhood poverty (proportion of neighbors with incomes less than $10,000) was associated with a poorer home physical environment and with less maternal warmth, controlling for family conditions. The home environment also was adversely affected by family poverty, large household size, female headship, and low maternal education, although the largest effects were evidenced for family poverty. Of the maternal characteristics, social support was adversely affected by family poverty and female headship status, while active coping was positively associated with mother's education.