Low Parental Education Level Research Articles

Abstract P141: Biological and Socioeconomic Determinants of Dysglycaemia in Canadian Youth

Background: Population-based rates of prediabetes or dysglycaemia (i.e. elevated A1C) among low-risk youth are not well described. Moreover, the biological and socioeconomic determinants of an elevated A1C in youth remain poorly understood. Methods: Youth aged 6-19 years who participated in the first (2007-2009) or second (2009-2011) cycles of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) were included in our analyses. The primary outcome, dysglycaemia was defined using A1C guidelines established by the American Diabetes Association (ADA: 5.7%-6.4%) and Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA: 6.0%-6.4%). Various biological and socioeconomic determinants were compared between healthy and dysglycaemic youth using two sample t-tests and χ 2 tests (Table 1). Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios for dysglycaemia. Age stratified regression was performed to adjust for physical activity. All analyses were unweighted. Results: Of the 3449 youth studied, 785 (22.8%) and 179 (5.2%) displayed dysglycaemia according to ADA and CDA definitions, respectively. Youth with dysglycaemia (ADA definition) were more likely to be male (55.4 v 50.6%, p=0.02), non-white (24.8 v 14.6%, p<0.001) and obese (16.2 v 10.8%, p<0.001). Dysglycaemia in youth was more common in those living in households with middle income adequacy (32.6 v 26.8%, p=0.006) and lower levels of parental education (high school or less, 15 vs 11.4%, p=0.007). Similar associations were found using CDA definition. In the adjusted logistic regression model (age ≥12y), significant predictors were age, race, income adequacy, geographic region, obesity (OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.08-2.35) and physical activity (monthly frequency of activity longer than 15 minutes, OR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-0.99). Conclusion: Nearly 1 of every 5 youth in Canada are at risk for type 2 diabetes, based on early elevated A1C. Elevated A1C in youth is associated with social determinants of health and some lifestyle factors and both should be addressed in prevention efforts.

Dental caries, parents educational level, family income and dental service attendance among children in Italy.

The aim of this study was to verify whether socioeconomic determinants, such as parents' educational level, family income and dental service attendance by children, are associated with the presence of caries among an Italian population of children. An observational retrospective study was carried out in a population of children aged 4-14 years who visited the Paediatric Dentistry Department of the University of Perugia, Italy. Children were stratified according to familial socioeconomic level (father's and mother's educational level, family income) and dental service attendance of children. Age- and sex- adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by means of multivariate logistic regression models. A sample of 231 children (mean age 8.1 yrs, SD 2.6; 127 males, 104 females) was recruited. One hundred and sixty three (70.46%) children in the study had caries. Caries presence in children was higher in children where the mothers' educational level was lower (OR =6.1; 95% CI = 3.1 to 12.7), in children where the fathers' educational level was lower (OR =2.9; 95% CI =1.6 to 5.5) and in children with lower family income (OR = 9.9; 95% 95% CI = 5.1 to 20.1). No statistically significant difference were observed in terms of caries presence between the children who were visited at least once by a dentist and children who were not previously seen by a dental practitioner (OR = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.4 to 1.6). Socioeconomic level was an important predictor of caries presence among children. Both low income and low parental educational level were related to an increased presence of caries, whereas previous dental visits experience did not affect caries presence in children.

Intra‐household constraints on educational attainment in rural households in Papua New Guinea

AbstractThis paper examines intra‐household and socio‐cultural factors leading to differential outcomes in educational attainment by gender and birth order amongst smallholder oil palm households in Papua New Guinea. Not all children share equitably in the household resources allocated to education: females have lower average education levels than males, and high birth order children have higher education attainment than lower birth order siblings, indicating preferential parental investment in sons and early born children. The findings demonstrate that despite households having regular access to relatively high incomes from oil palm and residing in close proximity to schools, primary school net enrolment rates remain significantly lower than those for East Asia and the Pacific region, and the millennium development goal of universal primary education has not been met. This finding is likely to be the result of a combination of intra‐household factors including gender power imbalances, low parental education levels, the agency of youth in educational decision‐making and the weakening attraction of education as a means of improving income‐earning potential.

ANALISIS KEMISKINAN ANAK BALITA PADA RUMAH TANGGA DI PROVINSI SUMATERA BARAT

The purpose of this study is to analyze factors that influence children poverty in West Sumatera Province based on household and parents characteristics. To address this issue, the 2013 National Socioeconomic Survey was derived from the Indonesian Statistics Agency and analyzed using logistic regression. Research results showed factors that significantly affected the probability of children fall into absolute poverty are low education level of parents, mother and head of household’s employment status, location of residences in villages, and having more than one child. Policies on poverty alleviation have been implemented by the government. However, a more comprehensive effort particularly for family with children under-five needs to be taken into account.

Does Teacher Encouragement Influence Students\u2019 Educational Progress? A Propensity-Score Matching Analysis

Theory suggests that teacher encouragement can aid students’ educational progress, but there are not yet quantitative inferential studies that assess its longer-term impact. With data from the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England (LSYPE), I use propensity-score matching to investigate whether encouragement influences the likelihood of students enrolling in (1) advanced high school (A-level) courses and (2) a university degree course. Model estimates suggest that encouragement does have a significant positive impact on both outcomes. In addition, I investigate whether encouragement effects vary according to parental education and the given student’s prior academic achievement; it appears that the impact is greatest for those students in the middle third of academic achievement as well as those with lower levels of parental education. These findings have important policy implications, especially as it seems that teacher encouragement has the greatest influence on those students most likely to be on the margin for university attendance.

Parenting Skills Determinant in Preventing Adolescents’ Sexual Health Risk Behavior

Parenting skill is one of the crucial needs that parents must have in caring adolescents’ sexual health risk behavior. Present study aims to determine predictors of parenting skills in preventing adolescents’ sexual health risk behavior. A cross sectional study was conducted among adolescents’ parents who attended government health clinics in a semi-urban district, West Malaysia. Data were collected by systematic random sampling using validated questionnaire from eight government health clinics based on routine daily out-patient services. There were 386 respondents participated with 98.9% of response rate. Parental skill is categorized as appropriate or inappropriate based on Trans-Theoretical Model (TTM) staging. Eighteen independent variables were used: parental socioeconomic status, adolescent characteristic, parenting style, parent-adolescent communication, parental stress, perception on adolescent sexual risk, comfortable in discussing sexual issues, knowledge in sexual reproductive health (SRH) and knowledge in HIV/AIDS. Assessment of parenting skills using the TTM stage showed 139 respondents (36%) had inappropriate parenting skills, in which they were in pre contemplation, contemplation or preparedness stages, while 247 respondents (64%) showed appropriate parenting skills when they were in action and maintenance stages of TTM. Older parent, late adolescent, low parental education level, extended family living arrangement, comfortable in discussing sexual issues, good parent-adolescent communication and higher knowledge in HIV/AIDS were found significant in bivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified older parent (AOR = 1.927, 95% CI = 1.889 - 1.966, p < 0.001), lower parental education (AOR = 2.394, 95% CI = 1.348 - 4.254, p = 0.003), comfortable in discussing sexual issues (AOR = 3.810, 95% CI = 1.622 - 8.948, p = 0.002), good parent-adolescent communication (AOR = 4.741, 95% CI = 2.478 - 9.071, p ≤ 0.001) and having higher knowledge on HIV/AIDS (AOR = 2.804, 95% CI = 1.528 - 5.147, p = 0.001) as significant predictors for appropriate parenting skills in preventing adolescent sexual health risk behavior. In conclusion, more than one third of parents were still not ready in preventing adolescent sexual risk behavior. Targeting the young parents and those having difficulty in communicating sexual issues with theirs adolescents should be emphasized in early intervention program for parents. Self-assessment using TTM stage questionnaire will help parents to identify their parenting skills in preventing adolescent sexual health risk behavior.

School Absenteeism and Child Labor in Rural Bangladesh

Evidence from many countries suggests a close association between school absenteeism and high rates of school drop-out, grade repetition and low academic achievement, and health and psychological disorders. In rural Bangladesh, school absenteeism is a major issue. Many children who are enrolled do not attend school regularly. Our own calculation using the Multiple Indicator Survey (MICS) 3 2005-06 data shows that more than a quarter of children aged 7-14 years missed at least one day of school in a six-day school week in the rural areas of Bangladesh. In addition, Bangladesh has a very high incidence of child labor. In 2005-06, 41% of children aged 7-14 years participated in the labor market activities in the rural areas. In this paper, we empirically examine the major determinants of school absenteeism and child labor among children aged 7-14 years and number of hours worked by them in rural Bangladesh using the MICS 3 2005-06 data. Since, data on school absenteeism and number of hours worked are censored, we estimate a bivariate Tobit model. Our empirical analysis shows that parental educational level has a significant negative effect on both school absenteeism and number of hours worked by children. The negative effect of education level of mother on school absenteeism is twice as large as that of father. We find that children belonging to poorer households have higher level of school absenteeism and work greater number of hours. Our results suggest that low income and financial constraints continue to act as important barriers to improving schooling outcomes in rural Bangladesh. We also find evidence of gender bias against female children regarding child labor. Female children work significantly greater number of hours than male children. In addition, the gender differential in number of hours worked increases with age. Finally, we find that school absenteeism is lower among children enrolled in higher grades. Results show that low parental education level and significant resource constraints both in terms of wealth and time are main obstacles in improving schooling outcomes for children in rural Bangladesh. There is continuing need to provide financial support to poor households and increase their access to credit market. Reducing school absenteeism in lower grades can help in reducing school drop-outs and improving academic achievement. There is need to target government assistance and aid programs towards children in lower grades and their parents.

Obesity and physical activity patterns among Balearic Islands children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Childhood and adolescents’ obesity remains a public health concern. In addition, it has been reported that youth population do not reach the international recommendations for physical activity. The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity, and to investigate the lifestyle determinants of physical activity practice in children and adolescents of the Balearic Islands (Spain). A cross-sectional survey (n = 3164; 44.2% girls; 10-16 years old) was carried out. Weight and height were assessed to estimate obesity prevalence according to the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs for body mass index. Physical activity patterns, sedentary behaviours, lifestyles determinants and parental characteristics were surveyed. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among Balearic Islands youth aged 10 to 16 years was 22.3% and 19.2%, respectively. Low parental educational level was associated with higher levels of children’s and adolescent’s body mass index, in both genders. The probability of being an overweight children and adolescent was increased significantly with a mother who never practice physical activity. Physically inactive children and adolescents had one and half (boys) and two (girls) times higher odds of being obese than physically active. Girls who exceeded 2 h per day of media screen time had a significantly higher body mass index. Parental educational level, mother’s physical activity practice, size of municipality of school, media screen time and physical activity are important factors of obesity among Balearic Islands children and adolescent.

How is low parental socioeconomic status associated with future smoking and nicotine dependence in offspring? A population-based longitudinal 13-year follow-up.

Low socioeconomic status (SES) characterizes smoking and nicotine dependence in adult samples. However, less is known about how parental SES is linked to smoking in offspring and the potential mechanisms at work. A population-based longitudinal study ( n=1380) from Norway was used. Participants were followed from their mid-teens until their late 20s using survey and register data. Data were collected on parental education, parental smoking, educational aspirations and expectations, school grades and school-related conduct problems. Register data monitored education, unemployment and social welfare assistance. Risk factors for smoking and nicotine dependence were identified by means of multinomial logistic regression analyses. Mediation analyses were used to investigate the pathways between parental SES and future smoking. Future smokers were recruited from families with low educational levels. Poor school grades, school dropout and low educational aspirations were also predictors. Unemployment and social welfare assistance additionally increased the risk. Parental smoking, no high school exam and welfare assistance were mediators between low parental education and high levels of nicotine dependence in young adulthood. Socialization to smoking reflects a multifaceted process fuelled by low parental SES. However, parental influences may be masked behind influences from schools or peers. Future research should try to capture the multiple sources of SES-related influence at work. Prevention strategies should target adolescents from low SES backgrounds, who orient towards the manual working class and who have problems entering the labour force.

Factors Associated with the Presence and Severity of Diabetic Ketoacidosis at Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes in Korean Children and Adolescents.

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for presence and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Korean children and adolescents. A retrospective chart review of children and adolescents newly diagnosed with T1DM was conducted in seven secondary and tertiary centers in Korea. Eligible subjects were < 20 years of age and had records on the presence or absence of DKA at the time of T1DM diagnosis. DKA severity was categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Data were collected on age, height, body weight, pubertal status, family history of diabetes, delayed diagnosis, preceding infections, health insurance status, and parental education level. A total of 361 patients (male 46.3%) with T1DM were included. Overall, 177 (49.0%) patients presented with DKA at T1DM diagnosis. Risk factors predicting DKA at T1DM diagnosis were age ≥ 12 years, lower serum C-peptide levels, presence of a preceding infection, and delayed diagnosis. Low parental education level and preceding infection increased the severity of DKA. These results suggest that alertness of the physician and public awareness of diabetes symptoms are needed to decrease the incidence and severity of DKA at T1DM diagnosis.

Children's exposure to secondhand smoke at home before and after smoke-free legislation in Taiwan

IntroductionIn January 2009, Taiwan broadened smoke-free legislation, requiring mass transportation systems, indoor public areas and indoor workplaces with 3 or more people, to become smoke-free. We investigated the secondhand smoke...

Prevalence and Parental Risk Factors for Speech Disability Associated with Cleft Palate in Chinese Children-A National Survey.

Although the prevalence of oral clefts in China is among the highest worldwide, little is known about the prevalence of speech disability associated with cleft palate in Chinese children. The data for this study were collected from the Second China National Sample Survey on Disability, and identification of speech disability associated with cleft palate was based on consensus manuals. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A weighted number of 112,070 disabled children affected by cleft palate were identified, yielding a prevalence of 3.45 per 10,000 children (95% CI: 3.19–3.71). A history of speech disability in the mother (OR = 20.266, 95% CI 5.788–70.959, p < 0.0001), older paternal child-bearing age (OR = 1.061, 95% CI 1.017–1.108, p = 0.0065, per year increase in age), and lower parental education (maternal: OR = 3.424, 95% CI 1.082–10.837, p = 0.0363; paternal: OR = 2.923, 95% CI 1.245–6.866, p = 0.0138) were strongly associated with risk of speech disability associated with cleft palate in the offspring. Our results showed that maternal speech disability, older paternal child-bearing age, and lower levels of parental education were independent risk factors for speech disability associated with cleft palate for children in China. These findings may have important implications for health disparities and prevention.

Physical Inactivity From Adolescence to Young Adulthood: The Relevance of Various Dimensions of Inequality in a Swedish Longitudinal Sample.

As physical inactivity may track from adolescence to adulthood, it is important to identify social determinants of physical inactivity in early life. However, most studies have measured socioeconomic position as one dimension. We examine whether multiple dimensions of socioeconomic position, in addition to other dimensions of inequality (i.e., gender, immigrant background), associate with physical inactivity at two time points in youth. Longitudinal data were drawn from the Swedish Level of Living Survey ( N = 765) and analysed by gender-stratified logistic regression. Among girls, low parental social class (odds ratio [OR] = 2.63, 95% confidence interval [CI; 1.28, 5.42]) and income (OR = 2.28, 95% [CI 1.12, 4.65]) were associated with physical inactivity, while immigrant background (OR = 2.33, 95% CI [1.03, 5.23]) and a low level of parental education (OR = 3.38, 95% CI [1.15, 9.95]) predicted physical inactivity among women. Among boys, low parental income (OR = 3.27, 95% CI [1.39, 7.69]) was associated with physical inactivity, whereas immigrant background (OR = 2.29, 95% CI [1.04, 5.03]) predicted physical inactivity among men. Our results suggest that physical inactivity is socially patterned, but different dimensions of social stratification should not be considered interchangeable as they may operate independently, through intersection with gender, and at different time points in youth in increasing the risk of physical inactivity.

Intergenerational Education Mobility Trends by Race and Gender in the United States

Researchers have examined racial and gender patterns of intergenerational education mobility, but less attention has been given to the ways that race and gender interact to further shape these relationships. Based on data from the General Social Survey, this study examined the trajectories of education mobility among Blacks and Whites by gender over the past century. Ordinary least squares and logistic regression models revealed three noteworthy patterns. First, Black men and women have closed substantial gaps with their White counterparts in intergenerational education mobility. At relatively low levels of parental education, these gains have been experienced equally among Black men and women. However, Black men are most disadvantaged at the highest levels of parental education relative to Black women and Whites in general. Finally, the advantages in education mobility experienced by White men in the early and midpart of the 20th century have largely eroded. White women, in contrast, have made steady gains in education mobility across a variety of parental education levels.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders in Greek Children based on ROME III criteria: identifying the child at risk.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are a common, diverse group of disorders of unknown etiology, resulting in significant socieconomic burden. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of FGIDs in children aged 6-18years and examine their association with various demographic and socioeconomic parameters. This was a school-based, cross-sectional study approved by the relevant government authorities. Informed consent was obtained by the legal representatives of all children who participated. Diagnoses of FGIDs were based on the Greek official translation of the ROME-III questionnaire. Demographic and socioeconomic information were also collected. A total of 1588 children (51.8% females, mean age: 12.9±2.8years) were included. The overall prevalence of any-FGID was 23.1% (95% CI: 21.1-25.2). The most common FGIDs were functional constipation, n=231 (13.9%), abdominal migraine, n=84 (5.6%), aerophagia, n=58 (3.5%), and irritable bowel syndrome, n=48 (3.0%). Multiple logistic regression analysis on the probability of any-FGID identified physical exercise, TV-exposure, victimization, gender, parental educational level, number of children at home and number of adults at home as significant covariates for any-FGID in the final model. FGIDs affect approximately 1 in 4 school-aged children in Greece. The following characteristics are associated with a higher probability of any-FGID: female gender, living in a non-nuclear household, victimization, lower parental education level, infrequent physical activity, and high television exposure.

Associated prenatal factors of behavioral and emotional problems in 5 year-old children: The Hokkaido Study

Introduction: Prenatal environment is considered to contribute childhood development and behavior. The aim of this study was to evaluate prenatal environmental factors including chemical exposures and socio-economic status which were associated with increased risk of child behavioral and emotional difficulties. Methods: 3813 Japanese version of parent report Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ) were distributed to the subpopulation of prospective birth cohort study as a follow-up study at 5 year of age between Oct. 2014 and Dec, 2015. Total difficulties score (TDS) and scores of five subscales were examined. Maternal smoking, drinking and BMI, parental age, education, family income were obtained from baseline questionnaire. Birth weight, infant sex and gestational age were obtained from birth record. Maternal BPA and phthalates levels were measured to assess prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals. Results: The response rate was 67.1%. 2553 valid response were included into the analysis. The mean TDS was 8.73 ± 5.06 and boys showed significantly higher TDS compared to girls (P &lt; 0.001). 20.4% (N=284) of children were above cut-off (TDS ≧ 13). Factors that increased the risk of having overall behavioral and emotional difficulties were; lower parental education levels, younger parental age, lower family income, higher maternal BMI, maternal smoking, being a boy and first child. Especially family income was strong contributing factor of each subscale except prosocial behavior. Maternal drinking, birth weight and gestational age were not associated. Maternal BPA level was significantly higher among children above TDS cut-off value (P = 0.012). Phthalate levels were no significantly different. Conclusion: This study found significant contributing factors of increased risk of child behavioral and emotional difficulties. Prenatal BPA exposure may be associated with behavioral and emotional problems in 5 year-old children.

Trends in Alcohol Use among Adolescents from 2000 to 2011: The Role of Socioeconomic Status and Depression.

To assess temporal trends of adolescent alcohol use in Finland from 2000 to 2011, according to socio-economic status and depression. Classroom self-administered questionnaires concerning health, health behaviours and school experiences were administered biennially from 2000-2001 to 2010-2011 to nationwide samples of 14- to 16-year-olds (n=618,084). Alcohol use was measured as the frequencies of drinking and drunkenness. Socioeconomic status was measured using parental education and unemployment. Depression was measured using a Finnish modification of the Beck Depression Inventory. Cross-tabulations and a logistic regression analysis were applied. Over the study period, rates of frequent drinking and frequent drunkenness decreased among both boys and girls. Low levels of parental education and unemployment as well as adolescent depression increased the likelihoods of frequent drinking and drunkenness. Unlike the general decreasing trend observed for alcohol use, the likelihoods of frequent drinking and drunkenness increased among adolescents who were depressed and had unemployed parents with low levels of education. The prevalence of frequent drunkenness was 75.8% among the boys in this group during 2008-2011, whereas the corresponding prevalence was 2.3% for boys without depression and with highly educated, employed parents. The corresponding figures for girls were 41.7% and 1.4%, respectively. The overall decreasing trend in frequent alcohol use was not observed among socioeconomically deprived adolescents with depression. Thus, alcohol prevention programmes should treat these youth as special targets.

Psychometric properties of the Barriers to Treatment Participation Scale-Expectancies.

Expectations concerning barriers to children's psychosocial care seem to be major drivers when seeking help, but validated questionnaires measuring expectations are not available. Therefore, this study examined the psychometric properties of the parent and adolescent versions of the Barriers to Treatment Participation Scale-Expectancies (BTPS-exp), in terms of consistency, structure, parent-child agreement, and validity. The authors obtained data via questionnaires on 1,382 Dutch children aged 4-18 years (response rate 56.6%) enrolled in psychosocial care, and on 666 children (response rate 70.3%) from the community. Internal consistencies of the BTPS-exp total and subscales of both versions were good (lowest Cronbach's alpha = .85). Fit of the data with the assumed scale structure was acceptable. Correlation coefficients between the parent and adolescent scores were low (Pearson's r total scale = 0.25). Parents expecting multiple barriers was significantly more likely in non-Dutch ethnicity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.1, 1.9]), in lower parental educational levels (primary education: OR = 3.0; 95% CI [1.5, 6.1]; lower-level secondary education: OR = 2.0; 95% CI [1.3, 3.1], both vs. university), in single parent families (1.3; 1.1-1.6), in case of child psychosocial problems (OR = 1.3; 95% CI [1.0, 1.5]) and in adolescents with psychosocial problems (OR = 2.1; 95% CI [1.4, 3.1]). Expecting multiple barriers did not affect the association between psychosocial problems and care enrollment. The authors conclude that the BTPS-exp has good psychometric properties regarding reliability and structure and is reasonably valid. Parents and adolescents have their own separate views, implying that it is valuable to assess both. Use of the scale might be helpful in providing direction to improve access to psychosocial care for children and adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record

Associated Demographic Factors of Instrumental and Emotional Feeding in Parents of Hong Kong Children

BackgroundInstrumental and emotional feeding have been associated with obesogenic dietary behaviors and obesity in children. Therefore, identifying parents who are more likely to use detrimental feeding styles may be helpful for tailoring interventions. ObjectiveThis study examines the demographic variation of instrumental and emotional feeding by using a sample of the Hong Kong population. DesignA cross-sectional research is presented. Instrumental and emotional feeding styles were assessed. ParticipantsA total of 3,742 Hong Kong parents from 27 kindergartens, with children aged 2 to 7 years old, were enrolled in this study. Main outcome measuresInstrumental and emotional feeding styles were assessed by a validated Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire. Statistical analysisDifferences among the demographic characteristics in parental feeding styles were compared by independent t test or analysis of variance. Multiple linear regressions were performed to determine the associated demographic factors. ResultsA greater tendency to adopt instrumental feeding was associated with younger children (β=−.07), feeding a daughter (β=.05), and a mother having a full-time job (β=.10). By contrast, a greater tendency to adopt emotional feeding was associated with younger children (β=−.07), feeding a daughter (β=.06), a mother having a full-time job (β=.16), or a lower parental education level (β=−.11). ConclusionsParents with full-time jobs, lower education levels, or who were nurturing a younger child may be more likely to use unhealthy feeding styles. Researchers should consider developing intervention strategies that focus on decreasing emotional and instrumental feeding styles for full-time employed or less-educated parents of younger children, particularly daughters.

Attractiveness Compensates for Low Status Background in the Prediction of Educational Attainment.

BackgroundPeople who are perceived as good looking or as having a pleasant personality enjoy many advantages, including higher educational attainment. This study examines (1) whether associations between physical/personality attractiveness and educational attainment vary by parental socioeconomic resources and (2) whether parental socioeconomic resources predict these forms of attractiveness. Based on the theory of resource substitution with structural amplification, we hypothesized that both types of attractiveness would have a stronger association with educational attainment for people from disadvantaged backgrounds (resource substitution), but also that people from disadvantaged backgrounds would be less likely to be perceived as attractive (amplification).MethodsThis study draws on data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health—including repeated interviewer ratings of respondents’ attractiveness—and trait-state structural equation models to examine the moderation (substitution) and mediation (amplification) of physical and personality attractiveness in the link between parental socioeconomic resources and educational attainment.ResultsBoth perceived personality and physical attractiveness have stronger associations with educational attainment for people from families with lower levels of parental education (substitution). Further, parental education and income are associated with both dimensions of perceived attractiveness, and personality attractiveness is positively associated with educational attainment (amplification). Results do not differ by sex and race/ethnicity. Further, associations between perceived attractiveness and educational attainment remain after accounting for unmeasured family-level confounders using a sibling fixed-effects model.ConclusionsPerceived attractiveness, particularly personality attractiveness, is a more important psychosocial resource for educational attainment for people from disadvantaged backgrounds than for people from advantaged backgrounds. People from disadvantaged backgrounds, however, are less likely to be perceived as attractive than people from advantaged backgrounds.