Racial/Ethnic differences in the association between parental wealth and child behavior problems

Abstract

The associations between wealth and child development outcomes have been well documented. However, little research has investigated how these associations vary by race/ethnicity. This study examines the association between parental wealth and child internalizing/externalizing behavior problems across race/ethnicity using longitudinal data. Data were drawn from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 and its Child and Young Adults Supplement. Three racial/ethnic groups were examined: Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic. The primary outcome was the child behavior problem index (BPI). We constructed a median-dichotomized standardized BPI measure in addition to using the antisocial subscale and depression/anxiety subscale. Parental wealth, defined as net worth, was calculated as assets minus debt. Three-level logistic regression was used. We first conducted the analyses using the whole sample, then followed with subgroup analyses stratified by race/ethnicity. Wealth was negatively associated with all the BPI indicators in the whole sample analysis. For Non-Hispanic White children, wealth had an incremental, consistent association with child behavior problems. Wealth was only protective against internalizing and externalizing behavior problem indicators among Black children from families in the higher levels of wealth. There were no significant associations between parental wealth and child behavior problems for Hispanic children. This study examined racial/ethnic differences in the relationship between parental wealth and child behavior problems. Findings indicate that whereas wealth is associated with lower levels of child behavior problems, there are racial/ethnic differences in the association. Implications for asset-building policy and programming are discussed.