Family Socioeconomic Status Research Articles

Physical activity participation of university students in the United Kingdom

Every year more than 2.38 million students attend university in the United Kingdom. However, there is limited research up to this date addressing current physical activity participation of the university students in the United Kingdom. This study explored the current physical activity habits among students studying at university level in the United Kingdom. An online survey was administered and completed by 466 students from over 52 faculties. Participants answered questions on demographic variables such as gender, age, socioeconomic status of family, location of studies, types of studies, year of studies, living arrangements and monthly expenditure. They were provided the English version of the IPAQ-Short form and asked to fill out the questionnaire with their physical activity habits during a typical week of university study. Results identified 64.4% of the sample were “moderate” active, with 14.2% “high” and 18.5% “low” active as categorized by the IPAQ-Short form scoring. Disparities in physical activity participation were present on demographic variables such as gender, year of study and family socioeconomic level upon analysis by ANOVA. To conclude, a discussion of the results within the overall field of physical activity participation in higher education was positioned and critiqued.

Self-Efficacy and Socioeconomic Status as Impact Factors for Working Memory and Language Learning: A Review Paper

For elder adults all over the world, impairment of working memory (WM) a kind of cognitive deficit induced by aging and diseases, is adversely affecting their lives. It is also known that WM has an important impact on students academic success in English. Among children's studies, language learning has gradually received more attention with the process of globalization. Previous researches used several data collection methods, such as questionnaire, scale, task and test to measure variables. Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression were adopted to analyze effects of self-efficacy and family socioeconomic status (SES) on WM and language learning statistically. Through the review and summary of these studies, it is generally concluded that self-efficacy of the elderly is positively correlated with their WM functioning; there is a positive correlation between self-efficacy and English learning outcomes of university students; family SES is positively related to WM updating capability and English proficiency in children and adolescents. The significance of this paper lies in some implications based on results of existing studies. WM span of the aged can be regulated through intervention. Educators more attention to students and purposive teaching strategies, and active parenting including more participation in kids education and creating a good home language learning environment for children will be helpful to improve WM ability and language learning experience and attainment of students.

How do behavior problems change over time in childhood? Evidence from the early childhood longitudinal study

The trajectories and predictors of childhood behavior problems remain unclear, this study aims to examine this research topic using nine waves of data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study. A total of 1,1779 and 1,1785 children (ages 5 to 13 years) and their parents and teachers were recruited to examine the development of internalizing and externalizing problems, respectively. Results showed that internalizing problems had three developmental patterns, such as a low-increased pattern, a low-stable pattern, and a medium-decreased pattern, and externalizing problems had five developmental patterns, including a high-decreased pattern, a medium-decreased pattern, a low-high increased pattern, a low-increased pattern, and a low-stable pattern. The race, gender, family socioeconomic status, and self-control of the children predicted these trajectories. Findings suggest that changes in childhood behavior problems are heterogeneous and that individual differences should be considered when studying changes in behavior problems.

Health Disparities Among Family Decision-Makers in China: An Ordered Probit Analysis of the China Family Panel Studies.

The family decision-makers serve as the backbone of the family, and their health status warrants consideration. This study aims to explore how the health status of this group of people, namely the family decision-making group, is affected, and to delve into the mechanisms of influence based on this. The goal is to provide reliable evidence and strategies for the health management of the family decision-makers group, contributing to the achievement of the "Healthy China 2030" Planning Outline. Drawing on data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study utilizes an Ordered Probit Model to analyze and compare the health status of family decision-makers and non-decision-makers. The findings indicate that decision-makers tend to experience poorer health outcomes than other family members, with increased pressure related to decision-making identified as a significant contributor to their declining health. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the negative effect is less pronounced in households with higher net worth but more pronounced in those with more significant housing, education, and medical spending pressures. Moreover, this study analysis highlights that enhancing individual or family socioeconomic status can alleviate the adverse health effects experienced by family decision-makers. The study reveals the presence of certain health adverse effects among family decision-makers. The implications drawn from this research hold significance for the health management of this demographic, underscoring the necessity for tailored interventions aimed at addressing the distinctive challenges confronted by this group.

Completion of multidose vaccine series in early childhood: current challenges and opportunities.

Completion of all doses in multidose vaccine series provides optimal protection against preventable infectious diseases. In this review, we describe clinical and public health implications of multidose vaccine series noncompletion, including current challenges to ensuring children receive all recommended vaccinations. We then highlight actionable steps toward achieving early childhood immunization goals. Although coverage levels are high for most early childhood vaccinations, rates of completion are lower for vaccinations that require multiple doses. Recent research has shown that lower family socioeconomic status, a lack of health insurance coverage, having multiple children in the household, and moving across state lines are associated with children failing to complete multidose vaccine series. These findings provide contextual evidence to support that practical challenges to accessing immunization services are impediments to completion of multidose series. Strategies, including reminder/recall, use of centralized immunization information systems, and clinician prompts, have been shown to increase immunization rates. Re-investing in these effective interventions and modernizing the public health infrastructure can facilitate multidose vaccine series completion. Completion of multidose vaccine series is a challenge for immunization service delivery. Increased efforts are needed to address remaining barriers and improve vaccination coverage in the United States.

How Significant is the Role of Family Socioeconomic Status in Archaism Among Kankanaey Speakers?

How Significant is the Role of Family Socioeconomic Status in Archaism Among Kankanaey Speakers?

Categorization Patterns of Career Plan Choice Based on Demographic Characteristics of Teacher Education Students

This study aims to describe the pattern of categorization of the certainty of career plan choices for educational program students and its relationship with their demographic characteristics. Respondents totaled 377 people (male = 176 and famale = 201) who were drawn randomly from a number of education program students at the University of Lampung. Data on the certainty of students' career plan choices is collected through the CCCS (Career Choice Certainty Scale). The research found that in general the categorization of the certainty of education students' career plan choices is patterned Quite Certain, Not Certain, Certain, Very Certain, Uncertain, and Very Uncertain. In detail, the pattern of categorization of the certainty of students' career plan choices varies according to the grouping of their demographic characteristics (gender: male and female, place of residence: urban and suburban, study program: scientific and social, and family socio-economic status: high, medium, low). The results of examining the relationship between the categorization of the certainty of career plans and students' demographic characteristics, it turns out that where they live, the chosen study program, and the socio-economic status of students' families are significantly related to the certainty of their career choice plans, although the strength of the relationship between these variables is categorized as weak. Meanwhile, the student gender variable was not significantly related to the certainty of their career choice plans.

Anxiety predicts math achievement in kindergarten children.

Math anxiety (MA) is an academic anxiety about learning, doing, and evaluating mathematics, usually studied in school populations and adults. However, MA likely has its origins before children go to school. For example, studies have shown that general anxiety (GA) for everyday events is less separable from MA in primary than in early secondary school. This suggests that GA may be a precursor of MA. For this reason, here, we have examined whether GA is already associated with math achievement at the end of kindergarten. We tested 488 Hungarian kindergarten children aged 5.7 to 6.9 years (55% girls) and analyzed the effect of GA, sex, and family SES on math achievement in kindergarten children. Strikingly, confirming results from primary school children, we found that GA negatively correlated with math achievement already in this preschool population. Higher GA levels had a stronger negative effect on girls' than boys' math achievement. However, there were no significant sex differences in math achievement in kindergarten. Additionally, family socioeconomic status was the strongest predictor of math achievement. We speculate that high GA in preschool is a plausible early precursor of later high MA. Early interventions could aim to control GA levels before children start formal schooling.

Age at autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and its association with child and family characteristics in a tertiary care hospital in Malaysia.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Despite the absence of a cure, early diagnosis and intensive early intervention can improve the outcomes. However, little is known about the median age at ASD diagnosis in Malaysia or the child/family characteristics associated with early diagnosis. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the median age at ASD diagnosis among Malaysian children presenting to the country's largest public tertiary neurodevelopmental center and to investigate the possible demographic, child, and family characteristics associated with an early age at diagnosis. Data were collected between February 2017 and February 2019 from a database maintained by the child development unit of the country's largest publicly funded tertiary hospital, containing data from an ethnically diverse population. Among Malaysian children attending the clinic, the median age at ASD diagnosis was 48 months. Early autism diagnosis (<36 months of age) was associated with increased severity of social communication and interaction impairments, coexisting intellectual impairment, children from high socioeconomic status families, and children who receive joint care from their families and a maid or babysitter. The study findings highlight the socioeconomic inequalities in the country, a lack of parental awareness of early ASD signs, and the presence of cultural influences on the age at diagnosis of ASD.

Changes in family investment in children’s out-of-school education in China, 2010–2018

Despite the growing perception of and concern about the rising cost burden of out-of-school education on families in China, few studies to date have comprehensively examined how family investment in out-of-school education has changed over time. Capitalizing on longitudinal data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) for 2010–2018, this study analyzes the trend in family investment in children’s out-of-school education (measured by children’s rates of participation and families’ absolute and relative monetary expenditure) during that period. We also examine how this trend differs by family socioeconomic status (SES) and by children’s level of schooling (preschool, primary school, junior high school). Our results show a large and growing number of families invest in out-of-school education in their children’s preschool years, with a significant SES gradient. Furthermore, family investment in out-of-school education has increased significantly between 2010 and 2018, with SES disparities in investment persisting and even widening during the same period. These findings carry important implications for understanding educational inequality in contemporary China as well as for policy making to promote educational equality.

Influence of Family Socio-Economic Status on Mathematics Achievement in Secondary School in Dessie Town in North-Central Ethiopia

Influence of Family Socio-Economic Status on Mathematics Achievement in Secondary School in Dessie Town in North-Central Ethiopia

Parental perceptions of economic inequality and investment in education in China

Using data from the 2012–2018 waves of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), we investigate how parenting practices vary by parents’ perception of inequality in contemporary China. We ask three questions: (1) Whether and how do parents’ perceptions of inequality differ by their socioeconomic background? (2) Are parenting practices related to parents’ perception of inequality? (3) Whether and how the relationship between parenting practices and perception of inequality varies across parents of different socioeconomic status (SES)? The results show that the higher the SES of parents, the more pessimistic is their perception of inequality. In addition, parents who are more aware of income inequality tend to spend more money on children’s education, have higher expectations for their children’s academic performance and educational achievement, and are more engaged in intensive parenting behaviors than parents who perceive income inequality to be less severe. Mothers’ perceptions of inequality are more strongly associated with investment in children’s education than those of fathers. In addition, the relationship between perceived inequality and parental investment in out-of-school education only varies by family SES among mothers.

The effect of social support on home isolation anxiety and depression among college students in the post-pandemic era: the mediating effect of perceived loss of control and the moderating role of family socioeconomic status.

There is an escalating concern about the rising levels of anxiety and depression among college students, especially during the post-pandemic era. A thorough examination of the various dimensions of social support and their impact on these negative emotions in college students is imperative. This study aimed to determine if a perceived loss of control mediates the relationship between social support and levels of anxiety and depression among college students during the post-pandemic era. Additionally, it examined whether family socioeconomic status moderates this mediated relationship. We administered an online cross-sectional survey in China, securing responses from 502 participants. The sample comprised home-isolated college students impacted by COVID-19. Established scales were employed to assess social support, anxiety, depression, perceived loss of control, and family socioeconomic status. Analytical techniques included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and a bootstrap method to investigate mediating and moderating effects. Social support was found to negatively affect anxiety and depression in college students, with perceived loss of control partially mediating this relationship. In addition, family socio-economic status was shown to moderate this moderating process. Furthermore, family socioeconomic status influenced this mediation, with higher socioeconomic families exhibiting a stronger moderating effect on perceived loss of control across different dimensions of social support. This study may help to develop strategies to mitigate the impact of anxiety and depression in the lives and studies of university students during unexpected public health crises, and to promote better mental health among college students.

Assessing emotional intelligence domains and levels in substance use disorders

BackgroundMany individuals with substance use disorders face challenges in their social interactions and often have strained relationships with peers. Challenges related to problem-solving, stress management, and impulsivity often contribute to their substance use disorders. Emotional intelligence plays a pivotal role in assisting individuals with substance use disorders in coping with stress, enhancing peer connections, resolving problems, and preventing relapse. Consequently, our study aimed to assess emotional intelligence in individuals with substance use disorders and explore the factors influencing it. A cross-sectional study compared 50 individuals with substance use disorders and 50 healthy individuals. We assessed various factors, including clinical data, sociodemographic variables, family socioeconomic status, Addiction Severity Index (ASI) scores, and Emotional Intelligence (EI) scale scores.ResultsIndividuals with substance use disorders had significantly lower mean scores in total EI and its subscales compared to the healthy control group. Additionally, a higher percentage of individuals with substance use disorders exhibited low EI levels, while healthy individuals demonstrated better EI. Furthermore, there was a substantial association between higher ASI scores in individuals with substance use disorders and lower EI scores.ConclusionsLower EI scores are associated with an increased risk of substance use disorders. Also, can contribute to difficulties in impulse control, and challenges in managing relationships and stress. These findings underscore EI crucial role in preventing and treating substance use disorders.

Family socioeconomic status and adolescent depression in urban and rural China: A trajectory analysis

BackgroundDepression is increasingly prevalent among Chinese adolescents, with socioeconomic status (SES) serving as a significant predictor. Understanding the link between family SES and depression is of paramount concern. This study aimed to delineate the developmental paths of depressive symptoms among urban and rural Chinese adolescents, focusing on the influence of family SES on these trajectories. MethodsData from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) for 2012, 2016, and 2018 were used in this study. Participants were individuals aged 10 to 15 in the 2012 wave who also participated in the 2016 and 2018 waves (N = 1214). Family SES was measured by household income, parental education, and occupational status, while depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. Employing the Growth Mix Model (GMM) unveiled depression trajectories, while logistic regression scrutinized the impact of family SES on these trajectories. ResultsThe study identified three depression trajectories in urban adolescents: high-decreasing, low-stable, and low-rising levels of depressive symptoms, and two depression trajectories in rural adolescents: high-decreasing and low-stable levels of depressive symptoms. On average, rural adolescents reported higher depression levels than urban peers. In urban areas, adolescents with higher maternal education and parental occupation were more likely to be classified in the low-stable trajectory, while in rural areas only maternal education had predictive power for depression trajectories. ConclusionsDepression trajectories differ between urban and rural in China. Maternal education is an important factor influencing rural sample grouping. Targeted interventions could be implemented to reduce depression in adolescents.

Examining changes of adolescent physical habitus-a retrospective study of physical capital networks.

In recent years, massive studies have examined sport from the standpoint of cultural capital. However, these studies have not examined cultural capital in relation to habitus within specific fields. This article utilized a multivariate latent growth curve model to analyze changes of participants' physical habitus. Hypotheses concerning the form of growth in physical habitus, individual perceived capital influence differences in the common trajectory over time, and covariates influencing the growth of PH were tested. Significant linear increases existed for perceived influence from family and school, while significant linear decreases existed for perceived influence from community. The second-order alternative format of the latent growth curve model indicated that associations among individual perceived influence differences could be adequately explained by a higher order physical habitus construct. Gender, personal health condition, family socio-economic status, and weekly time spent on physical activities significantly predicted initial levels of physical habitus, whereas family social economic status significantly predicted the rate of change in physical habitus simultaneously. These findings not only support the participation in sport is constructed socially but also that individual efforts and contextual influences contribute to physical habitus. Furthermore, three types of perceived influences intertwined so much in simultaneity, instead of contributing to physical habitus across time.

Associations among family socioeconomic status, parenting and sustained attention for socioeconomically disadvantaged children at age 5 years

AbstractChildren whose families experience socioeconomic disadvantage are at risk for poor sustained attention, a foundational skill related to goal‐oriented behaviour, self‐regulation and kindergarten readiness. Maternal parenting behaviours and parenting stress are theorised developmental pathways linking socioeconomic status (SES) to children's sustained attention. However, research has yet to empirically test for these indirect pathways, thus limiting the relevance of extant findings to inform targets of parent‐mediated programmes addressing attentional disparities at school entry for low‐income children. Using a sample of mostly low‐income children from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 2214) and the process of parenting model, this study tested whether maternal parenting stress, harsh parenting and cognitive stimulation uniquely explained associations between SES and child sustained attention at age 5 years. Results from structural equation modelling revealed that SES was positively and directly associated with child sustained attention. Some of these effects were indirectly transmitted through the pathway of maternal cognitive stimulation; however, neither harsh parenting nor parenting stress helped to explain the relationship between SES and child sustained attention. Implications of the findings are explored in the context of early childhood prevention and promotion programmes serving low‐income families.Highlights This study explores the direct and indirect paths of family SES on child sustained attention through the pathways of maternal cognitive stimulation, harsh parenting and parenting stress amongst socioeconomically disadvantaged children. Results from SEM revealed that SES was positively and directly associated with child‐sustained attention and some of these effects were indirectly transmitted through the pathway of maternal cognitive stimulation. Cognitive stimulation is a crucial pathway through which SES may promote or impede the development of children's sustained attention skills.

Parent-perceived recurrent pain in children: associations with maternal pain, depressiveness, socioeconomic status, and children's behavioural difficulties.

The current study aimed to examine the potential transgenerational associations between maternal pain and depressiveness and childhood pain, and to explore the associations between the children's difficulties and recurrent pain (defined as pain occurring at least once a month in the previous 6 month) in healthy children aged 3-13 years. We collected Data between 2015 and 2019 as part of the LIFE Child study in Germany and investigated associations of maternal pain and depressiveness, child age, sex, pubertal stage, emotional difficulties, conduct difficulties, hyperactivity/inattention, peer group difficulties, and prosocial skills, and family socioeconomic status with the frequency of parent-perceived headache, backache, and stomachache in a sample of 1,850 children (4,819 documented visits) using logistic and ordinal regression analyses. Overall, 10.4%, 24.4%, and 45.2% of parents reported their children had recurrent backache, headache, and stomachache, respectively, with 5.5% of children were reported to experience all three types of pain simultaneously. Higher age, female sex, puberty, emotional difficulties, low family socioeconomic status, as well as higher maternal impairment due to pain and maternal depressiveness were significantly associated with more frequent pain. Our study suggests that maternal pain, maternal depressiveness, and lower family socioeconomic status as well as child's emotional difficulties are significantly associated with a higher frequency of recurrent pain in children perceived by their parents.

(202) Baseline Reproductive and Sexual Health Knowledge Among Undergraduate Students in Manitoba, Canada

Abstract Introduction Many undergraduate students are newly sexually active adults with unsafe sexual practices. While sexual education curriculums exist, their understanding of reproductive and sexual health is unknown. Objective We sought to assess undergraduate students' knowledge and attitudes on reproductive and sexual health. Our aim was to identify variables associated with knowledge deficiencies. Methods A novel, cross-sectional questionnaire was created with local expert input. The survey assessed respondents’ demographics, attitudes, and knowledge of contraception/family planning, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and infertility. The survey was distributed online from January to March 2021 to undergraduate students at two universities in Manitoba, Canada, through their students’ unions. Local ethics board approval was obtained, participation was voluntary, and data was anonymized. After calculating median and interquartile ranges according to the data distribution, categorical variables were analyzed with Chi-squared tests and continuous variables were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis tests. Univariable and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analysis were used to assess variables associated with knowledge differences. A p-value &amp;lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results There were 309 respondents out of approximately 28,816 possible undergraduate students (n=309, response rate 1.1%). Of the respondents, 239 (77.3%) were females, 146 (47.2%) were ≥22 years old, 49 (15.9%) were from a high socioeconomic status (SES), and 264 (85.4%) were from Manitoba. Few felt that their post-secondary education on contraception/family planning (26.2%), STIs (34.6%), and infertility (4.5%) was adequate. Many felt at risk of having an unplanned pregnancy (45.3%) and contracting a STI (34.6%). The overall mean knowledge score was 65.5%, with averages of 71.7% correct for STIs, 65.6% for infertility, and 59.2% for contraception/family planning. There were significant differences in knowledge scores with age (p = 0.012), location of high school completion (p = 0.004), and university attended (p=0.044). On multivariate analysis, higher knowledge scores were associated with identifying as female (male OR = 0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.18-0.87; p = 0.021), older age (age 21 OR = 6.04, 95% CI: 1.78-20.49; p = 0.004 and ≥22 years OR = 4.07, 95% CI: 1.35-12.26; p = 0.012), and university attended (University of Manitoba OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.11 – 3.49; p = 0.021). On subgroup analysis, family SES was associated with higher STI knowledge scores (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.07 – 4.48; p = 0.032). Conclusions Undergraduate students face unique barriers in obtaining adequate reproductive and sexual health knowledge. In particular, younger males who attend smaller universities, and possibly those who are from lower SES, may be at greater risk of negative outcomes. We highlight the need for improved access to education and supports to assist undergraduate students in making more informed decisions. Disclosure No.

Do Key Predictors of Academic Resilience Differ Across Cultures? Evidence From Korea and the US

This study aimed to compare key predictors of academic resilience in the distinctive socio-cultural contexts of South Korea and the United States, employing a machine-learning-based random forest technique. Using PISA 2018 data, we focused on students in the bottom 25% of family socioeconomic status, totaling 1,654 in South Korea and 1,175 in the US. The results showed that individual factors, such as meta-cognition, joy of reading, self-concept of reading, and work mastery, were ranked highly in both countries. On the other hand, self-efficacy and students’ expectation of higher education were specific to Korea, while fixed mindset and meaning in life were specific to the US. Based on these findings, this study highlighted the need for culturally responsive policies to nurture academic resilience among disadvantaged youth.