Mental Health
Social Support and Anxiety in Parents of Young Children: A Latent Class Analysis Erin Wissler Gerdes* Erin Wissler Gerdes Wissler Gerdes Wissler Gerdes Wissler Gerdes Wissler Gerdes Wissler Gerdes University of Iowa
Introduction: The transition to parenthood is a vulnerable period for both mothers and fathers, yet most parental mental health research focuses on mothers in the immediate postpartum period. Little is known about parental anxiety as children move beyond infancy, despite evidence that support needs remain high. Social support is a key protective factor in mental health, and early interventions may help reduce anxiety and other mental health concerns. This study examines how distinct patterns of interpersonal support relate to anxiety among parents of young children, with the goal of identifying support gaps that may serve as intervention targets.
Methods: Social Support was measured using the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL-12) plus one original item, and anxiety was measured using the General Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7). Among 352 parents with at least one child under the age of five, latent class analysis identified subgroups of social support. Descriptive analyses examined demographic characteristics associated with class membership, and linear regression assessed the relationship between social support and anxiety.
Results: Four distinct classes of social support were identified: 1) High Support, 2) Low Support, 3) Mid-High Support, and 4) Mid-Low Support. Compared to Class 1, parents in Classes 2-4 scored 1.8-4.8 points higher on the GAD-7. Across all classes, the Belonging subscale had the lowest scores, suggesting that feelings of loneliness and reduced social connectedness may be common among parents of young children. Most demographic characteristics were not significantly associated with class membership, although financial insecurity was more likely in Class 2, with members “finding it difficult to get by”.
Conclusion: This study identified four classes of social support and their impact on anxiety severity. Identifying social support gaps offers an opportunity for targeted interventions to reduce anxiety in parents of young children.