Unequal Connections? Exploring Social Network Use Among Swedish Parents

Abstract Background Access to social networks is uneven among parents, creating barriers to support. The role of social capital in relation to parental support remains underexplored. This study explored whether parents collaborate with other parents and associated factors. Methods The study is based on baseline data from a project evaluating the effects of a parental support program. Data were collected via a questionnaire to parents of children aged 3, 6, 9, and 14 in schools and preschools in a Swedish municipality. A total of 181 parents responded. Data were analysed using chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results Nearly all participants (97.2%) talked to close contacts (family and friends), 63.3% to other personal contacts, and 57.6% to institutional actors (e.g. schools, child health centres, support groups) about their child/children. Of all participants, 77% reported usually collaborating or discussing with other parents about parenting challenges. A higher proportion of women, compared to men, reported collaborating with other parents (82.6% vs. 58.5%, p = 0.001). Native speaking parents were more likely than others to collaborate (80.2% vs. 64.1%, p = 0.038) and talk to personal contacts outside of family and friends (53.8% vs. 46.2%, p = 0.010). In adjusted analyses, being male remained a significant predictor of not collaborating with other parents (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.6-7.2), while the effect of native language was attenuated. Moreover, a larger number of social contacts was associated with a lower risk of not collaborating (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.8). Conclusions Social networks are widely used by parents, but men and non-native speakers engage in such collaboration to a lesser extent. A larger social network is a protective factor, particularly for non-native speakers. As both men and non-native speaking parents can be harder to reach and might have a limited social capital, targeted efforts are needed to better engage and support these groups in parenting. Key messages • Most parents use social networks for support, but men and non-native speakers engage less - highlighting the need for targeted approaches in parental support initiatives. • A larger social network reduces the risk of parental isolation, especially for non-native Swedish speakers - underlining the importance of strengthening parents’ social ties.