The great recession and behavior problems in 9-year old children

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Economic Sociology
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• The Great Recession (2007-2010) significantly impacted the U.S. economy.
• Childhood behavior is influenced by socioeconomic factors and parental stress.
• Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding developmental impacts of economic downturns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the Great Recession and behavioral problems in 9-year-old children.
• To examine gender differences in the impact of economic uncertainty on child behavior.
• To explore the role of family structure and parenting in mediating these effects.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 3,311).
• Linked child behavior reports (aggression, anxiety, substance use, vandalism) to monthly Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) and local unemployment rates.
• Employed statistical controls, including city-fixed effects and prior child behavior at age 5.

Main Results:

• Increased economic uncertainty (higher CSI) was significantly associated with higher rates of all four behavior problems in boys.
• No significant associations were found between economic uncertainty and behavior problems in girls.
• The link between economic uncertainty and boys' behavior problems was concentrated in single-parent families and partially mediated by parenting behaviors.
• Local unemployment rates showed fewer associations with children's behavior problems compared to economic uncertainty.

Conclusions:

• Economic uncertainty, rather than local labor market conditions, was a key factor influencing boys' behavioral issues during the Great Recession.
• Gender differences in behavioral responses to economic downturns are significant.
• Family structure and parenting practices play a role in how economic stress affects children's behavior.