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Within-child associations between family income and externalizing and internalizing problems
Eric Dearing1, Kathleen McCartney, Beck A Taylor
1Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA. deariner@uwyo.edu
Developmental Psychology
|March 30, 2006
Summary
Family income significantly impacts child behavior. Higher family income correlates with fewer externalizing problems, especially for chronically poor children, with effects moderated by maternal employment and partnership status.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Socioeconomic Factors
Background:
- Family income is a critical determinant of child development.
- Child externalizing and internalizing problems are significant public health concerns.
- Understanding socioeconomic influences on child behavior is essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine within-child associations between family income and behavioral problems.
- To investigate how poverty status, maternal partnership, and maternal employment moderate income effects.
- To identify specific conditions under which income changes influence child behavior.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal analysis of data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N=1,132).
- Examined within-child variations in family income and corresponding changes in externalizing and internalizing problems.
- Statistical modeling to assess the moderating roles of poverty, maternal partnership, and maternal employment.
Main Results:
- Children exhibited fewer externalizing problems during periods of higher family income compared to periods of lower income.
- The positive impact of increased income on reducing externalizing problems was most pronounced for chronically poor children.
- Income associations with both externalizing and internalizing problems were strongest when mothers of chronically poor children were partnered and employed.
Conclusions:
- Family income fluctuations are directly associated with changes in child behavioral problems.
- Targeted support for chronically poor families, particularly regarding maternal employment and partnership, may mitigate child behavioral issues.
- Socioeconomic factors, moderated by family structure and maternal work patterns, play a crucial role in child behavioral outcomes.
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