Exploring the Interplay of Social Safety Nets, Race, Ethnicity, and Nativity on Psychological Distress Among Low-Income Mothers.

Abstract

Low-income mothers face numerous challenges that increase their vulnerability to psychological distress. Their perceived or actual difficulty in accessing vital support networks, whether public or private, can significantly amplify this distress. Socially assigned identities, such as nativity, ethnicity, and race, intersect with socioeconomic factors, influencing mental health outcomes. Using data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, our research investigated the impact of public and private safety nets on maternal psychological health. We found that, even after accounting for socioeconomic factors, non-Hispanic, US-born White mothers experienced higher levels of psychological distress compared to minoritized mothers. The role of safety nets varied by race and ethnicity, with private safety nets providing unique protection to Black and Hispanic mothers, while support was associated with increased distress only among White mothers. These findings highlight the need to consider sociocultural history when assessing safety net impacts on mental health.