Characteristics of Social Support Among Teenage, Optimal Age, and Advanced Age Women in Canada: An Analysis of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth

Background Social support is highly valued and beneficial for women, especially after childbirth. The objective was to examine the differences of social support reported among teen, optimal age, and advanced age women, and to identify the characteristics associated with social support separately for each age group. Methods This was a cross-sectional analysis of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. Primiparous women with infants were grouped into: teen (15–19 years), optimal age (20–34 years), and advanced age (35 years and older). The outcome was social support (Social Provisions Scale), and demographic, socio-economic, health, community, and infant characteristics were considered for stepwise linear regression, separately for the groups. Results Total of 455,022 mothers was analyzed. Teens had the lowest social support (Mean = 17.56) compared to other groups (Means = 19.07 and 19.05; p < 0.001). Teens’ volunteer involvement was associated with an increase in social support (Adjβ 2.77; 95%CI 0.86, 4.68), and depression was associated with a decrease (Adjβ −0.12; 95%CI −0.22, −0.02). Optimal age women’s support significantly increased with maternal age (Adjβ 0.07; 95%CI 0.02,0.12), working status (Adjβ 0.60; 95%CI 0.13,1.07), and with chronic condition(s) (Adjβ 0.59; 95%CI 0.16,1.02), while it decreased with depression (Adjβ −0.05; 95%CI −0.10, −0.01) and ever-immigrants (Adjβ −1.67; 95%CI −2.29, −1.04). Use of childcare was associated with increased support among women in advanced age group (Adjβ 1.58; 95%CI 0.12, 3.04). For all groups, social support was significantly associated with neighbourhood safety. Conclusion The characteristics associated with social support varied among the three age groups. The findings may help promote awareness of the essential needs to increase support, especially for teens.