Abstract
BackgroundUnderstanding the processes across childhood and adolescence that affect later life inequalities depends on many variables for a large number of individuals measured over substantial time periods. Linkable administrative data were used to generate birth cohorts and to study pathways of inequity in childhood and early adolescence leading to differences in educational attainment. Advantages and disadvantages of using large administrative data bases for such research were highlighted.MethodsChildren born in Manitoba, Canada between 1982 and 1995 were followed until age 19 (N = 89,763), with many time-invariant measures serving as controls. Five time-varying predictors of high school graduation—three social and two health—were modelled using logistic regression and a framework for examining predictors across the life course. For each time-varying predictor, six temporal patterns were tested: full, accumulation of risk, sensitive period, and three critical period models.ResultsPredictors measured in early adolescence generated the highest odds ratios, suggesting the importance of adolescence. Full models provided the best fit for the three time-varying social measures. Residence in a low-income neighborhood was a particularly influential predictor of not graduating from high school. The transmission of risk across developmental periods was also highlighted; exposure in one period had significant implications for subsequent life stages.ConclusionThis study advances life course epidemiology, using administrative data to clarify the relationships among several measures of social behavior, cognitive development, and health. Analyses of temporal patterns can be useful in studying such other outcomes as educational achievement, teen pregnancy, and workforce participation.
Highlights
This study advances life course epidemiology, using administrative data to clarify the relationships among several measures of social behavior, cognitive development, and health
Educational attainment has been linked with many neighborhood, family, and individual characteristics
The following questions are addressed: Which measures best predict high school graduation? Do significant time-varying covariates operate in a cumulative fashion, in sensitive periods, or in critical periods? Do the temporal patterns selected for each time-varying covariate differ when adjusting for measured and unmeasured confounders?
Summary
Understanding the processes across childhood and adolescence that affect later life inequalities depends on many variables for a large number of individuals measured over substantial time periods. Linkable administrative data were used to generate birth cohorts and to study pathways of inequity in childhood and early adolescence leading to differences in educational attainment. Advantages and disadvantages of using large administrative data bases for such research were highlighted. Data Availability Statement: The data used for this study are owned by the data providers—Manitoba Health, Seniors, and Active Living and Manitoba Education and Training. Access to data is given upon approvals from the University of Manitoba Health Research Ethics Board and the Health Information Privacy Committee, and permission from both data providers. More information on access to these databases can be found at http:// umanitoba.ca/faculties/health_sciences/medicine/ units/community_health_sciences/departmental_ units/mchp/resources/access.html.
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