Poverty Dynamics, Parenting and Child Mental Health in Canada

TY - JOUR

T1 - Poverty Dynamics, Parenting and Child Mental Health in Canada

AU - Strohschein, L.

AU - Gauthier, A.H.

PY - 2018/11

Y1 - 2018/11

N2 - Although the detrimental effects of poverty on child mental health are well established, questions remain as to which aspects of poverty matter most and which mechanisms account for the association. This study tested the relative influence of depth of current poverty and poverty duration on child anxiety/depression and antisocial behavior, then evaluated whether parenting practices mediated observed associations. Data come from four waves of the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (1994–2000), with analysis restricted to children who were aged 2 to 5 at initial interview and lived with both biological parents throughout (n = 1,901). Depth of current poverty was associated with child anxiety/depression, whereas persistent poverty was associated with child antisocial behavior. Parenting behaviors were significant predictors but did not mediate the association between poverty dynamics and child mental health. The research and policy implications of these findings are discussed.

AB - Although the detrimental effects of poverty on child mental health are well established, questions remain as to which aspects of poverty matter most and which mechanisms account for the association. This study tested the relative influence of depth of current poverty and poverty duration on child anxiety/depression and antisocial behavior, then evaluated whether parenting practices mediated observed associations. Data come from four waves of the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (1994–2000), with analysis restricted to children who were aged 2 to 5 at initial interview and lived with both biological parents throughout (n = 1,901). Depth of current poverty was associated with child anxiety/depression, whereas persistent poverty was associated with child antisocial behavior. Parenting behaviors were significant predictors but did not mediate the association between poverty dynamics and child mental health. The research and policy implications of these findings are discussed.

KW - childhood mental health

KW - parenting

KW - poverty

KW - life course

KW - SSCI

U2 - 10.1177/2156869317731603

DO - 10.1177/2156869317731603

M3 - Article

SN - 2156-8693

VL - 8

SP - 231

EP - 247

JO - Society and Mental Health

JF - Society and Mental Health

IS - 3

ER -