The contribution of social support to the material well-being of low-income families

Authors: Julia R. Henly; Sandra K. Danziger; Shira Offer

Source: Journal of Marriage and Family, Volume 67, Number 1, February 2005 , pp. 122-140(19)

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Abstract:

We hypothesize that the social support available from low-income networks serves primarily a coping function, rather than a leverage function. Social support and its relationship to material well-being is assessed in a sample of 632 former and current welfare recipients. Respondents report higher levels of perceived emotional, instrumental, and informational support than perceived financial support, and received financial aid is particularly uncommon. Multivariate findings demonstrate that perceived support is unrelated to employment quality, but it reduces the likelihood of living in poverty and is associated with three different measures of coping. These findings generally support the contention that informal aid is important for the everyday survival of low-income families, but is less able to assist with economic mobility.

Keywords: coping; social networks; social support; welfare

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-2445.2005.00010.x

Publication date: 2005-02-01