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Ethnic differences in cognitive development in the first 7 years: does maternal generational status matter?
Neil R Smith1, Yvonne J Kelly2, James Y Nazroo3
1Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
|December 17, 2015
Summary
Cognitive development differences between ethnic groups decrease as children age. Generational disparities in cognitive scores narrow, suggesting UK environmental exposure may positively influence development.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Cognitive Psychology
- Sociology of Education
Background:
- Ethnic disparities in cognitive development are documented but poorly understood regarding persistence over time.
- Longitudinal data on cognitive inequalities across generations is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the persistence of ethnic differences in cognitive development from age 3 to 7.
- To investigate generational differences in cognitive ability scores within ethnic minority groups.
Main Methods:
- Repeat cross-sectional analysis of the UK Millennium Cohort Study (MCS).
- Assessed cognitive ability scores in children aged 3, 5, and 7 years.
- Used linear and logistic regression, adjusting for sociodemographic, environmental, and parenting factors.
Main Results:
- Most ethnic minority groups showed lower scores than white UK-born children at age 3, with diminishing differences at ages 5 and 7.
- Black Caribbean children consistently scored lower than the reference group throughout early childhood.
- Children with UK-born mothers generally had higher scores, but this generational advantage decreased with adjustments and disappeared by age 7.
Conclusions:
- Ethnic cognitive development gaps narrow during childhood for most groups.
- Cumulative exposure to the UK environment may correlate with improved cognitive development scores.
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