Support Networks of Single Puerto Rican Mothers of Children with Disabilities

    Authors

    V. I. Correa; Z. E. Bonilla;M. E. Reyes-MacPherson

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Child Fam. Stud.

    Keywords

    Latino single mothers; Puerto Rican; Young children; Disabilities; Social support networks; YOUNG-CHILDREN; SOCIAL SUPPORT; AFRICAN-AMERICAN; DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES; FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS; HISPANIC FAMILIES; COPING STRATEGIES; LATINO FAMILIES; ADAPTATION; NEEDS; Family Studies; Psychology, Developmental; Psychiatry

    Abstract

    The social support networks of 25 Puerto Rican single mothers of young children with disabilities were examined and compared with current models of family support for children with disabilities. This study was designed to assess the support systems of Latino single mothers in light of dominant models of family support. The Family Support Scale, the ECOMAP, and responses to open-ended questions were employed to describe the characteristics of Puerto Rican single mothers' support systems. Study findings suggest that members of the children's immediate and extended kinship system, including non-blood relatives (e.g., madrinas), play a strong role in the support network of the mothers interviewed. Implications for early childhood professionals who work with Latino parents of children with disabilities are examined.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Child and Family Studies

    Volume

    20

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    66

    Last Page

    77

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000286394800007

    ISSN

    1062-1024

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