Social support and its associations with mental health and parenting among mothers with young children in Western Kenya

This study examined associations between perceived social support, maternal mental health, and parenting practices among mothers with young children under aged 2 years in rural Western Kenya. Data were from the baseline of a cluster randomized controlled trial evaluating a parenting intervention. Maternal perceived social support was assessed using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and community connectedness with two study-developed items. Maternal depressive symptoms were measured using the CES-D, parenting distress with Parenting Stress Index–Short Form, and caregiver stimulation practices with Family Care Indicators. Multilevel linear regression models examined associations between social support and maternal mental health and parenting outcomes. This analytic sample included 539 mothers, of whom 49.4% were aged 25–34 years, 36.4% were at risk of depression, and 19.9% reported high parenting stress. Higher perceived support was associated with fewer depressive symptoms (β = -0.14, p < .001), lower parenting stress (β = -0.24, p < .001), and greater stimulation practices (β = 0.08, p = .04). Family support was more strongly associated with mental health outcomes, while friend support was associated with stimulation. Community connectedness was associated with lower parenting stress but not with depressive symptoms.. Findings highlight the importance of family support for maternal well-being and peer support for fostering stimulation practices among mothers with young children. • Higher perceived support was associated with less depressive and stress symptoms. • Friend support was positively associated with maternal stimulation practices. • Family support was negatively associated with depression and stress symptoms. • Community connection was linked to lower parenting stress only. • Associations with depressive symptoms were stronger among partnered mothers.