Predicting household residency among youth from vulnerable families

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between maternal social stability and household residency among youth in vulnerable families. Data on the household residency of biological children (under 18 years of age) was collected from 259 mothers in Baltimore, Maryland. Only half (50%) of the mothers lived with at least one of their biological children. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine which maternal characteristics and stability factors predicting the likelihood of a child not living with their biological mother. A history of mental health diagnoses as well as economic and housing instability were the strongest predictors of children not living with their biological mothers. Social stability factors such as incarceration history, and receipt of food stamps were not associated with an increased likelihood that children were not living with their biological mother. Maternal economic and housing instability may be the basis on which vulnerability begins for youth. These findings serve as the foundation for future researchers interested in identifying factors that may moderate or mediate the complex relationship between maternal stability and childhood outcomes.