Playgroup Participation and Social Support Outcomes for Mothers of Young Children: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine friendship networks and social support outcomes for mothers according to patterns of playgroup participation. METHODS: Data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children were used to examine the extent to which patterns of playgroup participation across the ages of 3-19 months (Wave 1) and 2-3 years (Wave 2) were associated with social support outcomes for mothers at Wave 3 (4-5 years) and four years later at Wave 5 (8-9 years). Analyses were adjusted for initial friendship attachments at Wave 1 and other socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Log-binomial regression models estimating relative risks showed that mothers who never participated in a playgroup, or who participated at either Wave 1 or Wave 2 only, were 1.7 and 1.8 times as likely to report having no support from friends when the child was 4-5 years, and 2.0 times as likely to have no support at age 8-9 years, compared with mothers who persistently participated in playgroup at both Wave 1 and Wave 2. CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence that persistent playgroup participation may acts as a protective factor against poor social support outcomes. Socially isolated parents may find playgroups a useful resource to build their social support networks.