Support networks among immigrant parents of young children: Assessing ecologies to inform outreach efforts

Abstract

Tailoring support for first and second-generation immigrant families with young children necessitates understanding the extent to which immigrant families initiate access to community resources and perceived support from formal and informal stakeholders in their ecology. As part of an exploratory analysis, we surveyed bilingual, immigrant parents (n = 54) in a mid-Atlantic urban community in the United States. We examined factors that may correlate with seeking child-related advice and/or emotional support. Sixty-one percent of the sample approached at least one formal or informal contact for emotional support or advice in the past year, and willingness to do so was correlated with having a child with a suspected or diagnosed delay or disability. Stronger parent–stakeholder rapport was more likely to be reported with informal supports among younger parents (aged 20–30). Respondents with greater perceived parenting stress and child behaviour concerns were more likely to seek out stakeholders and less personalised sources. We discuss noteworthy implications for research and practice.