Racial Differences in Social Support and Depression among Adult Mothers

Background: Family structures in the US are rapidly changing to include more single-parent mothers, which disproportionately affects the black population and may be contributing to the increased rate of depression among black mothers. It is important to explore protective factors for depression by race and family structure. This study examines the effect of different types of social support on the relationship between depression, race and marital status. Methods: Data from a 2008 random digit dial survey of residents in Greater Pittsburgh, PA were used in this analysis of white and black mothers. The CES-D scale and the Lubben Social Support scale were used to assess depression symptoms and social support. Results: We surveyed 399 black and white mothers aged 18 and older. Results indicate that on average black single mothers have the highest depression scores. And, although married and single black mothers have similar levels of social support, black married mothers have significantly lower depression scores (p=.014). Interestingly, black married mothers have fewer symptoms of depression than white married mothers, despite having less social support. Symptoms of depression among black mothers are predicted by “family social support” (p < 0.01), while among white mothers symptoms are predicted by “friend social support” (p < 0.01). Conclusions: These findings will provide a better understanding of racial differences in the role of social support as a protective factor among single black mothers and inform culturally tailored intervention strategies designed to eliminate racial disparities in depression for this priority population.