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Pathways Between Social Support, Family Well Being, Quality of Parenting, and Child Resilience: What We Know

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Abstract

We contribute to the theoretical and research knowledge base regarding the pathways between parental social support, family well being, quality of parenting, and the development of child resilience in families with a child with serious emotional problems. Little conceptual development has been done that provides a theoretical framework for studying the relationships among these variables. We identify key findings from social support theory and research, including the impact of social support on family well being and the parents’ capacity to parent, and the experience of parental social support in families with a child with a disability. We review the constructs of family well being, quality of parenting, and child resilience. Further, we explain the pathways between parental social support, family well being, quality of parenting, and child resilience in families with a child with serious emotional problems. Key variables of the model and the nature of their inter-relationships are described. Social support is constructed as a protective mechanism with main and buffering effects that can impact family well being, quality of parenting, and child resilience at a number of junctures. The conceptual model’s implications for future theory development and research are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Family Studies, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL

    Mary I. Armstrong Ph.D. (Assistant Professor)

  2. School of Social Work, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

    Shelly Birnie-Lefcovitch Ph.D. (Director)

  3. Maritime School of Social Work, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Michael T. Ungar Ph.D. (Associate Professor)

  4. Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, USF, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, FL, 33612

    Mary I. Armstrong Ph.D. (Assistant Professor)

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  1. Mary I. Armstrong Ph.D.
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  2. Shelly Birnie-Lefcovitch Ph.D.
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  3. Michael T. Ungar Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Mary I. Armstrong Ph.D..

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Armstrong, M.I., Birnie-Lefcovitch, S. & Ungar, M.T. Pathways Between Social Support, Family Well Being, Quality of Parenting, and Child Resilience: What We Know. J Child Fam Stud 14, 269–281 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-005-5054-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-005-5054-4

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