SOCIAL SUPPORT RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING OF YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICAN MOTHERS

Although extended social networks are considered to be an extremely im portant resource in the African-American community, the potentially ne gative aspects of these networks have not been systematically examined . The influence of the helpful and problematic aspects of young Africa n-American mothers' social relationships was assessed in this study. P roblems in relationships were negatively related to the psychological functioning of the young women. These results were evidenced with over all support and within various subgroups of providers. In addition, si gnificant interactions between relationship problems and economic stra in were found. Whereas past theory and research have emphasized the st ress-buffering effects of social support, these findings point to the stress-potentiating effects of relationship problems for young African -American mothers.