Abstract
To investigate behavioural problems throughout childhood and adolescent, and its relationship with socioeconomic position (SEP) and early parenting environment. Using data from the Millennium Cohort Study conducted in the UK, behavioural problems of 14 452 children were analysed using a growth curve model. The children were followed from birth to adolescence, and their behavioural problems were measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The SDQ was sub-scaled into externalising and internalising problems. After assessing the general trajectory of children's behavioural problems, variables representing SEP and parenting environments were introduced to the model to analyse the association with children's outcomes. Overall, children's trajectories in externalising problems showed a decreasing trend while internalising problems increased as they aged. Household income and maternal education in early childhood were independently associated with children's behavioural problems, while the association for maternal occupation was significantly weaker. Positive early parenting environments attenuated the association between SEP and children's behavioural problems. Also, with regards to children's behavioural problems, positive parenting explained more variance between children compared to SEP. Favourable parent-child relationship buffered the income gradient in children's behavioural problems during early childhood, and although this buffering effect did not last until adolescence, those who had good parent-child relationships developed better outcomes regardless of their SEP. The results of the study emphasise the importance of a positive early parenting environment for improving and reducing the socioeconomic gap in children's behavioural problems and encourages policies to promote better parenting circumstances.
Highlights
In 2017, one in eight (12.8%) 5–19 year olds in the UK met the criteria for a mental disorder, and the prevalence of these disorders has kept an upward trend since the late 1990s (Sadler et al, 2018)
Studies on early to mid-childhood have revealed that negative parenting styles, such as those with harsh, punitive and controlling attitudes, increases the risk of developing socioemotional difficulties, whilst warm and positive parenting has a protective effect for the child (Weiss et al, 1992; Gazelle et al, 2005; McKee et al, 2007; Boeldt et al, 2012; van der Sluis et al, 2015; Reuben et al, 2016)
By the time they reached adolescence, the difference in Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scores between children from 1st and 5th income quintiles was larger within children who were under a better parent–child relationship than those under poor parent– child relationships
Summary
In 2017, one in eight (12.8%) 5–19 year olds in the UK met the criteria for a mental disorder, and the prevalence of these disorders has kept an upward trend since the late 1990s (Sadler et al, 2018). Studies on early to mid-childhood have revealed that negative parenting styles, such as those with harsh, punitive and controlling attitudes, increases the risk of developing socioemotional difficulties, whilst warm and positive parenting has a protective effect for the child (Weiss et al, 1992; Gazelle et al, 2005; McKee et al, 2007; Boeldt et al, 2012; van der Sluis et al, 2015; Reuben et al, 2016) This may have a long-term impact on children, since some studies indicate that parenting in early childhood is associated with outcomes in pre-adolescence and young adulthood (Beckwith et al, 1992; Keiley et al, 2001; Lorber and Egeland, 2009; Petersen et al, 2015). It is hypothesised that: (1) children from disadvantaged SEP are more likely to have worse outcomes throughout childhood and adolescence; (2) parenting environment will attenuate the association between SEP and children’s behavioural problems; (3) parenting environment will modify the association between SEP and children’s behavioural problems
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