Showing papers in "American Journal of Community Psychology in 2001"
TL;DR: An integrative framework that captures the core competencies and processes needed within collaborative bodies to facilitate their success is presented and the resulting framework for building collaborative capacity is presented.
Abstract: This article presents the results of a qualitative analysis of 80 articles, chapters, and practitioners' guides focused on collaboration and coalition functioning. The purpose of this review was to develop an integrative framework that captures the core competencies and processes needed within collaborative bodies to facilitate their success. The resulting framework for building collaborative capacity is presented. Four critical levels of collaborative capacity—member capacity, relational capacity, organizational capacity, and programmatic capacity—are described and strategies for building each type are provided. The implications of this model for practitioners and scholars are discussed.
632 citations
TL;DR: This pilot study suggests that discrepancies between researcher and resident-defined neighborhoods are a possible source of bias in studies of neighborhood effects.
Abstract: Neighborhood influences on children and youth are the subjects of increasing numbers of studies, but there is concern that these investigations may be biased, because they typically rely on census-based units as proxies for neighborhoods. This pilot study tested several methods of defining neighborhood units based on maps drawn by residents, and compared the results with census definitions of neighborhoods. When residents' maps were used to create neighborhood boundary definitions, the resulting units covered different space and produced different social indicator values than did census-defined units. Residents' agreement about their neighborhoods' boundaries differed among the neighborhoods studied. This pilot study suggests that discrepancies between researcher and resident-defined neighborhoods are a possible source of bias in studies of neighborhood effects.
545 citations
TL;DR: A model is proposed and explored that links the coming-out process to the psychological functioning and sexual behaviors of gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths recruited from gay-focused community-based and college organizations in New York City and finds limited involvement in gay/lesbian activities was associated with more unprotected sex.
Abstract: A model is proposed and explored that links the coming-out process to the psychological functioning (i.e., self-esteem and distress) and sexual behaviors of gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths recruited from gay-focused community-based and college organizations in New York City. The coming-out process is multidimensional, consisting, as defined here, of involvement in gay/lesbian activities, attitudes toward homosexuality, comfort with homosexuality, self-disclosure of sexual identity to others, and sexual identity. The coming-out dimensions were related to self-esteem, distress, and unprotected sexual behaviors. In addition, the relations between the coming-out dimensions and unprotected sexual behaviors were explained by psychological functioning. In particular, limited involvement in gay/lesbian activities was associated with more unprotected sex. Negative attitudes toward homosexuality were related directly to more unprotected sex, and they were related indirectly to more unprotected sex by means of increasing emotional distress. These and other findings have implications for designing preventive interventions to increase the youths' psychological functioning and reduce their unprotected sexual behaviors.
357 citations
TL;DR: This paper offers a framework for deciding what values and what praxis considerations the authors should attend to and how they may advance social justice and social action in community psychology.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to articulate a rationale for value-based praxis in community psychology. Although values need to promote personal, collective, and relational wellness at the same time, it is argued that community psychologists pay more attention to personal and relational wellness than to collective wellness. In order to address this imbalance it is important to promote the value of social justice. While praxis requires that we engage in a cycle of reflection, research, and social action, community psychologists devote more resources to the first two phases of praxis than to the last one. This paper offers a framework for deciding what values and what praxis considerations we should attend to and how we may advance social justice and social action in community psychology.
291 citations
TL;DR: The results demonstrated that acculturation, correlated with SES, contributed to depressive symptom severity only through indirect pathways, and better support, lower personality negativity, better health perception, and lower stress were found mediating the relationship between higher SES and lower depressive symptoms.
Abstract: This study examined the role of acculturation and its direct and indirect impact on depressive symptom severity through various correlates, including socioeconomic status (SES), stress, social support, personality negativity, and physical health perception. Using structural equation modeling, the proposed model was tested with 983 employed Chinese Americans from a representative community sample, the majority of whom were immigrants. The results demonstrated that acculturation, correlated with SES, contributed to depressive symptom severity only through indirect pathways. Higher acculturation was found associated with higher stress that in turn contributed to more elevated depressive symptoms. On the other hand, higher acculturation was also found strongly correlated with higher SES, which was associated with lower depressive symptoms directly or indirectly through several mediators. Better support, lower personality negativity, better health perception, and lower stress were found mediating the relationship between higher SES and lower depressive symptom severity. The simultaneous multigroup analysis showed that the final model was comparable for both men and women with very few differences.
236 citations
TL;DR: A coalition can be described as an organization of organizations working together for a common purpose that uses four basic strategies: networking, coordinating, cooperating, and collaborating.
Abstract: A coalition can be described as an organization of organizations working together for a common purpose. When working in coalitions, organizations use four basic strategies: networking, coordinating, cooperating, and collaborating. These strategies can be assessed and selected in relationship to the challenges and opportunities posed by time, trust, and turf. In doing so, it is helpful to consider the strategies along a developmental continuum on which each strategy evolves from or builds upon another. It is important not to view some as better than others, but simply more or less useful given their relationship to time, trust, and turf. The definitions that follow are based on this framework. Networking is defined as exchanging information for mutual benefit; it does not require much time or trust nor the sharing turf. It is a very useful strategy for organizations that are in the initial stages of working relationships. Coordinating is defined as exchanging information for mutual benefit and altering activities for a common purpose; it requires more time and trust but does not include the sharing turf. Coordinating is often used to create more user-friendly access to programs, services, and systems. Cooperating is defined as exchanging information, altering activities, and sharing resources for mutual benefit and a common purpose; it requires significant amounts
234 citations
TL;DR: Common mechanisms to explain the effects of adversities and of resources that promote resilience are proposed and implications are presented for the development of interventions to promote resilience.
Abstract: This paper proposes common mechanisms to explain the effects of adversities and of resources that promote resilience Adversities threaten the satisfaction of basic human needs and the acquisitions of competencies to carry out valued social roles Adversities can also be characterized in terms of their ecological properties of occurrence in time, and place Resilience resources at the individual, microsystem and macro levels reduce the negative effects of adversities through their effects on satisfaction of basic human needs and their effects on the occurrence of adversities The effects of resilience resources are described as preventive, protective and promotive Implications are presented for the development of interventions to promote resilience
206 citations
TL;DR: This study examined what parents of children with disabilities and special needs found helpful about belonging to mutual support groups and found such support was helpful in three broad domains: the sociopolitical, the interpersonal, and the intraindividual.
Abstract: This study examined what parents of children with disabilities and special needs found helpful about belonging to mutual support groups. Quantitative data (based on 56 parents from 6 groups) indicated that members found the groups very helpful and were very satisfied with the support they received from their groups; they also described the groups as high in cohesion, expressiveness, task orientation, and self-discovery. A grounded theory analysis of focus group data (based on 43 parents from 5 of the groups) indicated that such support was helpful in three broad domains: (1) the sociopolitical, which involved developing a sense of control and agency in the outside world; (2) the interpersonal, which involved a sense of belonging to a community; and (3) the intraindividual, which involved self change. A central theme of identity change emerged as superordinate to these three categories.
188 citations
TL;DR: Examining the interorganizational interactions within one county that was implementing two interorgan organizational alliances suggest that the development of opportunities for and encouragement of staff and leader involvement in these types of alliances may be an important part of the attempt to create a more integrated social service delivery system.
Abstract: In an attempt to promote service delivery integration and improve interorganizational collaboration, many recent human service delivery initiatives have included the development of interorganizational alliances such as coalitions and coordinating councils. Despite their popularity, little is known about how these alliances influence interorganizational collaboration, specifically the extent to which they alter the interactions among human service delivery organizations. The present study examined the interorganizational interactions, specifically the exchange relationships, within one county that was implementing two interorganizational alliances—a countywide coordinating council and interagency service delivery teams. Membership on both alliances was associated with broader interorganizational exchange networks. Organizations involved in a coordinating council were more likely to be included in client, information, and resource exchanges, and participate in joint ventures with a broader range of organizations. Providers involved in interagency teams also exchanged clients and information with a broader sector of service delivery organizations than nonparticipating providers. Observational data suggested that both alliances created structures and processes intended to facilitate interorganizational exchanges. Together, these results suggest that the development of opportunities for and encouragement of staff and leader involvement in these types of alliances may be an important part of our attempt to create a more integrated social service delivery system. The implications of these findings for researchers and practitioners are discussed.
154 citations
TL;DR: Nine dimensions are explored that are critical to coalition success: coalition readiness, intentionality, structure and organizational capacity, taking action, membership, leadership, dollars and resources, relationships and technical assistance.
Abstract: The highly complex practice of building successful community coalitions is explored. Key dimensions related to coalition success are identified and best practices are delineated. Nine dimensions are explored that are critical to coalition success: coalition readiness, intentionality, structure and organizational capacity, taking action, membership, leadership, dollars and resources, relationships, and technical assistance. Two coalition case studies follow the discussion of dimensions and illustrate the journey traveled to create successful community coalitions.
149 citations
TL;DR: Alternative interpretations include the positions that coalitions in general are not effective intervention mechanisms, that traditional scientific methodology is poorly suited for capturing fine-grained coalition outcomes, and that coalition and similar collaborative organizations are too complex to be adequately evaluated by the methodology that is now available.
Abstract: Community-based coalitions are popular structures for creating community benefits But desired effects have been reported only for single cases, the overall documented evidence to date for positive coalition outcomes being weak Methodological obstacles may account for much of the missing evidence, and research possibilities for addressing these obstacles are suggested Alternative interpretations include the positions that coalitions in general are not effective intervention mechanisms, that traditional scientific methodology is poorly suited for capturing fine-grained coalition outcomes, and that coalitions and similar collaborative organizations are too complex to be adequately evaluated by the methodology that is now available
TL;DR: This work proposes a value-based conceptualization of partnership, defining partnership as relationships between community psychologists, oppressed groups, and other stakeholders, which strive to achieve key community psychology values.
Abstract: We propose a value-based conceptualization of partnership, defining partnership as relationships between community psychologists, oppressed groups, and other stakeholders, which strive to achieve key community psychology values (caring, compassion, community, health, self-determination, participation, power-sharing, human diversity, and social justice). These values guide partnership work related to the development of services or supports, coalitions and social action, and community research and program evaluation. We prescribe guidelines for building such partnerships and conclude by considering some of the challenges in implementing value-based partnerships.
TL;DR: There is a need for more theory, research, and discourse on how community coalitions can transform conflict into social change and how they can increase the power of grassroots and other citizen-lead organizations.
Abstract: Community coalitions, as they are currently applied, are unique organizations whose ability to promote community change is different from other types of community organizations. This article explores those differences and elaborates how community coalitions can use those differences to transform conflict into greater capacity, equity, and justice. Concerns are also raised in this article about how community coalitions can intentionally and unintentionally protect the status quo and contain the empowerment of grassroots leadership and those of marginalized groups. There is a need for more theory, research, and discourse on how community coalitions can transform conflict into social change and how they can increase the power of grassroots and other citizen-lead organizations.
TL;DR: This study reports data on the time budgets of a sample of 253 urban African American poor to working- and middle-class 5th–8th graders in Chicago, found to spend less time in school than other postindustrial adolescent populations, but spent no less time doing homework than White suburban U.S. young adolescents.
Abstract: The time budgets of a population of youth provide important information about their daily experience and socialization This study reports data on the time budgets of a sample of 253 urban African American poor to working- and middle-class 5th–8th graders in Chicago These youth were found to spend less time in school than other postindustrial adolescent populations, but spent no less time doing homework than White suburban US young adolescents They spent large quantities of time at home and with their families—at rates comparable to rates for young adolescents in a society with collectivist values like India Unlike with other populations, early adolescence was not associated with major age changes in time allocations Amount of time in schoolwork did not differ by grade, and amount of time with family did not show the decline with age that has been found for European American suburban adolescents
TL;DR: This study examined the reciprocal relationships between perceived mastery, stress, and three functional areas of social support: tangible support, informational support, and belongingness support to suggest that successful attempts to garner instrumental supports is an important contributor to individuals' sense of self-efficacy.
Abstract: This study examined the reciprocal relationships between perceived mastery, stress, and three functional areas of social support: tangible support, informational support, and belongingness support. Data were collected during two face-to-face interviews with a sample of low-income, primarily African-American mothers, conducted approximately 1 year apart. Consistent with predictions, initial levels of mastery predicted higher subsequent levels of instrumental social supports (tangible and advice support), but were unrelated to belonging support. Conversely, initial levels of tangible support were predictive of later mastery. Perceived stress did not account for any additional variance in subsequent support, although initial levels of belonging support only did predict reduced stress at Time 2. Results suggest that successful attempts to garner instrumental supports is an important contributor to individuals' sense of self-efficacy, at the same time, self-efficacy leads to more successful use of existing social support systems. These findings point to the importance of having both available tangible support networks as well as close emotional supports for low-income parents. The importance of using longitudinal, multidimensional analyses to better understand the social support process is discussed.
TL;DR: The state of the art of community coalition building in both practice and research is reviewed, which reflects a collaborative process, with multiple contributors from different disciplines, using a variety of formats.
Abstract: Over the last 20 years, coalition building has become a prominent intervention employed in communities across America. Coalitions provide community psychologists and those in related fields with a chance to work with whole communities and to better understand how to create community change. As we reflect on the past two decades of community coalition building, there are many questions to be answered about this phenomenon. Why has there been such an upsurge in community coalition building activity? What is the impact of this activity? What have we as students of community learned? What are the questions that we need to be asking to improve the effectiveness of coalition building efforts and their evaluation? This set of articles will review the state of the art of community coalition building in both practice and research. The structure of the articles reflects a collaborative process, with multiple contributors from different disciplines, using a variety of formats. Because this is an evolving phenomenon where the questions asked are as important as the lessons learned, many of the major sections include dialogues with community experts from across the country and from multiple fields, including community psychology, public health, political science, public administration, and grassroots organizing.
TL;DR: A study of 319 African American, European American, and Mexican American urban families, parents completed objective measures of economic status and scales of perceived economic hardship that were adapted from previous research and identified a coherent construct of psychological sense of economic hardship.
Abstract: Poverty is a community stressor that disproportionally affects ethnic minority families. One aspect of programmatic research on poverty focuses on the psychological sense of economic hardship. In a study of 319 African American, European American, and Mexican American urban families, parents completed objective measures of economic status and scales of perceived economic hardship that were adapted from previous research. Measurement models identified a coherent construct of psychological sense of economic hardship that was essentially equivalent for mothers and fathers, English- and Spanish-speaking Mexican Americans, and the 3 ethnic groups. In support of the validity of this construct, relations between objective indicators of economic status and perceived economic hardship showed equivalence across these same groups.
TL;DR: A multilevel model predicting self-help group involvement among male veterans who received inpatient substance abuse treatment indicates that greater involvement in 12-step groups after discharge is predicted by the compatibility between personal and treatment belief systems.
Abstract: Drawing on ecological and narrative theories of self-help groups, this study tests a multilevel model predicting self-help group involvement among male veterans who received inpatient substance abuse treatment Following K Maton (1993), the study moves beyond the individual-level of analysis to encompass variables in the treatment and post-treatment social ecology Surveys administered to patients (N = 3,018) and treatment staff (N = 329) assessed these predictor domains and self-help group involvement 1 year after discharge A hierarchical linear model fit to the data indicates that greater involvement in 12-step groups after discharge is predicted by the compatibility between personal and treatment belief systems The implications of these findings for efforts to facilitate transitions between inpatient professional treatment and community-based self-help groups are discussed
TL;DR: The criteria of merit used by these organizations to evaluate prevention programs provide partial empirical support for existing theories of technology transfer and implications for designing and disseminating HIV prevention programs are discussed.
Abstract: A multiple case study design was used to explore the organizational characteristics of community-based organizations that provide HIV prevention programs and the criteria these organizations employ when judging the merits of externally-developed HIV prevention programs. In-depth interviews were conducted with organizational representatives of 38 randomly-selected HIV prevention providers throughout Illinois. Results indicated that there were three main types of adopting organizations: adopters of entire programs, adopters of program components and practices, and adopters of common ideas. These three types of organizations were distinguished by their level of organizational commitment to HIV prevention, organizational resources, and level of organizational maturity. Narrative data from the interviews are used to describe the dimensions that underlie the organizations' program adoption criteria. The criteria of merit used by these organizations to evaluate prevention programs provide partial empirical support for existing theories of technology transfer. Implications for designing and disseminating HIV prevention programs are discussed.
TL;DR: The personal and social losses described by adults with schizophrenia and their well family members are presented, and families' search for ways that their ill family member can achieve or maintain valued social roles is documented.
Abstract: Using a life course perspective, the research examines personal accounts of adults with schizophrenia, and their parents and well-siblings from six families. Accounts of multiple members of the same family, including the family member with schizophrenia, are used to describe how families understand and accommodate life changes that result from the illness. Families describe the loss of a “normal life” as one of the most devastating aspects of schizophrenia. We present the personal and social losses described by adults with schizophrenia and their well family members, and document families' search for ways that their ill family member can achieve or maintain valued social roles. The concerns of well family members for the future of the ill family member and ways families contemplate transfer of care issues are described. Implications of the study for community research and action are discussed.
TL;DR: The results suggest that dignity is an important variable to consider in understanding the experience of homelessness and policies and programs that support validating the dignity of homeless persons are encouraged.
Abstract: The current investigation is a planned, systematic study of dignity as critical to understanding the experience of homelessness and improving services and programs for the homeless. Specifically, we conducted a thematic content analysis of interviews with 24 homeless men and women to identify their perception of specific environmental events that validate and invalidate dignity. In addition, we explored the impact that these events have on homeless persons. Eight types of events were identified that sustain dignity such as being cared for by staff and having resources available to meet basic needs. Eight types of events were found that undermine dignity, such as being yelled at or insulted by staff persons and having staff use rules in an excessive and arbitrary way. Two outcomes followed the sustenance of dignity including increased self-worth and motivation to exit homelessness. Three outcomes followed the undermining of dignity including anger, depression, and feelings of worthlessness. The results suggest that dignity is an important variable to consider in understanding the experience of homelessness. Policies and programs that support validating the dignity of homeless persons are encouraged.
TL;DR: The findings suggest that intervention models that have proven effective for women who engage in high-risk behavior may be less effective for Women in established relationships for whom risk is primarily derived from the extrarelationship behavior of their partners.
Abstract: A community-based sample of disadvantaged African American women (n = 445) was recruited to participate in 1 of 3 theoretically driven experimental interventions based on either the theory of gender and power, social learning theory, or cognitive behavioral theory. Intervention outcomes were compared with a waiting list control condition. From baseline to postintervention, women in the experimental interventions showed differential change on cognitive indices (knowledge and attitudes) and skill acquisition (partner negotiation skills, correct condom application, lubricant selection, and information-provision to social networks) whereas control participants were unchanged. Women in the 3 experimental interventions also completed follow-up assessments for 1 year following the interventions. In all 3 experimental conditions, condom use increased relative to the control group and there were no differences between the experimental interventions. Women who participated in one of the theoretically grounded interventions continued to increase condom use over the following year. Women entering new relationships reported significantly more condom use than did women who remained in ongoing relationships. The findings suggest that intervention models that have proven effective for women who engage in high-risk behavior may be less effective for women in established relationships for whom risk is primarily derived from the extrarelationship behavior of their partners.
TL;DR: Over and above demographic, economic, and contextual factors, positive psychological characteristics and attitudes were found to be moderately associated with currently being employed.
Abstract: This study examines whether and how a wide range of potential barriers to work, including psychological characteristics and attitudes, are associated with current employment in a recent sample of welfare recipients in Michigan (ND 672). Psychological factors include measures of depressive symptoms, work attitudes, and perceived risks associated with leaving welfare. Over and above demographic, economic, and contextual factors, positive psychological characteristics and attitudes were found to be moderately associated with currently being employed. Implications for welfare-to-work programs and policy are discussed.
TL;DR: There was no evidence of a difference between African American and White women in strength of the connection between social embeddedness and psychological well-being, and African American social involvement is more selective than previously believed.
Abstract: Using data from the National Medical Expenditure Survey, a household survey of more than 18,000 respondents, this study examined racial and gender differences in social embeddedness, an indicator of community well-being and social support. The study hypothesized that higher levels of social embeddedness would be found among African Americans than among Whites and that the association between social embeddedness and psychological well-being would be stronger among African Americans than among Whites. African American men reported themselves more socially embedded overall than White men and, in one instance, their social involvement was especially important in predicting psychological well-being. African American women were more likely than White women to report attending meetings of churches and community groups, but otherwise were less socially involved than White women. There was no evidence of a difference between African American and White women in strength of the connection between social embeddedness and psychological well-being. African American social involvement is more selective than previously believed and generalizations must be qualified on the basis of gender.
TL;DR: Examples of community change are envisioned as working with whole communities; increasing grassroots and civic engagement; promoting diversity, collaboration and, advocacy; increasing roles for professional technical assistance and evaluation; future changes in the role of government; and the building of healthy communities.
Abstract: The future holds great promise for community coalitions as powerful interventions for community change. Community change is envisioned as: working with whole communities; increasing grassroots and civic engagement; promoting diversity, collaboration and, advocacy; increasing roles for professional technical assistance and evaluation; future changes in the role of government; and the building of healthy communities. Examples of these dimensions follow, as contributed by activists from a wide range of fields.
TL;DR: This paper examines the associations among stressful life events, social support, and depressive symptoms in a sample of 580 first-time welfare recipients to find women who were more satisfied with their social support and those with higher attendance at religious services reported fewer depressive symptoms.
Abstract: This paper examines the associations among stressful life events, social support, and depressive symptoms in a sample of 580 first-time welfare recipients. Self-reported number of depressive symptoms was greater than in corresponding community samples. Stressors and social supports made independent main effect contributions to depressive symptoms in a multiple regression analysis. Women with transportation barriers to employment, those experiencing greater numbers of stressful life events, and those who were less satisfied with their housing situation reported greater numbers of depressive symptoms. In contrast, women who were more satisfied with their social support and those with higher attendance at religious services reported fewer depressive symptoms. Implications for welfare reform policy and programs are discussed.
TL;DR: The findings indicate that the majority of participants were connected to the labor force and expressed positive attitudes about work, and perceived social support was negatively related to depression symptoms and positively related to self-efficacy and self-esteem.
Abstract: Most of the extant research on welfare reform has neglected to consider the experiences of families in rural settings. Fifty women receiving welfare for their dependent children in a rural community were interviewed about their work experiences and aspirations, barriers to employment and service use, as well as mental health and social support. The findings indicate that the majority of participants were connected to the labor force and expressed positive attitudes about work. Barriers to employment (lack of available jobs, child care) and service use (transportation, inconvenient office hours) were endorsed. Perceived social support was negatively related to depression symptoms and positively related to self-efficacy and self-esteem. The importance of understanding the life experiences of welfare recipients in different contexts is discussed.
TL;DR: 3 principles are proposed that focus research on people, not programs; consider multiple dimensions of people's experience; and conceptualize people as agentic and not simply as reactors to the environmental press are illustrated.
Abstract: Community psychology has made great strides in including context when understanding people in their environments. While continuing to consider context, we need to expand our conceptualization of the individual in community settings. I propose 3 principles: (1) focus our research on people, not programs; (2) consider multiple dimensions of people's experience; and (3) conceptualize people as agentic and not simply as reactors to the environmental press. I illustrate those principles with research on domestic violence and welfare reform. In doing so, I call attention both to the way in which aspects of people's lives intersect with community settings, and to the embeddedness of people's lives (and community settings) in larger social structures.
TL;DR: Associations among sexual victimization and the psychosocial functioning of African American and Latina pregnant and parenting adolescents were examined and support was found to be differentially related to depression and anxiety in the two groups.
Abstract: Associations among sexual victimization and the psychosocial functioning of African American and Latina pregnant and parenting adolescents were examined. Forty-seven (17.7%) of the 265 participants reported histories of sexual victimization, most of which was unwanted sexual intercourse. The victimized adolescents reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, and life stress and, although the two groups reported no differences in their levels of social support, support was found to be differentially related to depression and anxiety in the two groups. In particular, victims derived benefits from social support at low levels of stress, but social support provided no protection against depression and anxiety at average or high levels of stress. For nonvictims, social support provided no benefits at low levels of stress, but protected against depression and anxiety at moderate levels of stress and against depression at high levels of stress. Implications of these findings for research, theory, and intervention are discussed.
TL;DR: Comparisons of mothers randomly assigned to visited or nonvisited conditions uncover few differences on structural or affiliational aspects of support after 12 months, but visited mothers are significantly less likely to report a decline in satisfaction with a close adult than nonvisiting mothers do.
Abstract: This study investigates the impacts of Healthy Start, a statewide, home visitation program, on the social support systems of 212 disadvantaged mothers in Oahu, Hawaii Maternal support was assessed at the time these mothers gave birth and 12 months later with the Maternal Social Support Index Comparisons of mothers randomly assigned to visited (n = 108) or nonvisited (n = 104) conditions uncover few differences on structural or affiliational aspects of support after 12 months Visited mothers, however, are significantly less likely to report a decline in satisfaction with a close adult than nonvisited mothers do The discussion examines the challenges of fostering social support and the ability of home visitation efforts to achieve this outcome