Social Support through Social Capital: A Model of a Parent Support Group for Mothers in an Urban Head Start

Abstract

This qualitative case study highlights the content and process of a parent support group delivered through a preventive mental health intervention in an urban Head Start. A social capital framework was used to analyze data from interviews with group facilitators and Latina mothers who were the core participants as well as from facilitator evaluation forms documenting weekly group process and content.  Findings suggest that close relationships and an exchange of meaningful resources constituted support.  A possible model for parent support groups incorporates relationships, resources, and space whose interplay is managed by a group facilitator.