Differential Effects of Multiple Dimensions of Poverty on Child Behavioral Problems: Results from the A-CHILD Study

Abstract

The differential effects of low income and material deprivation—in particular, deprivation related to child educational needs—have not been well examined. This study aimed to examine the effects of low income and life-related and child-related deprivation on child behavioral problems. This study used data from first-grade students who participated in the Adachi Child Health Impact of Living Difficulty (A-CHILD) study in 2015, 2017, and 2019 (N = 12,367) in Japan. Material deprivation was divided into life-related deprivation (i.e., lack of items for a living) and child-related deprivation (i.e., lack of children’s books, etc.), and low income was assessed via annual household income. We assessed child behavioral problems and prosocial behavior using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. One in ten children belonged to low-income families, 15.4% of children experienced life-related deprivation, and 5.4% of children experienced child-related deprivation. While life- and child-related deprivation had significant adverse effects on behavioral problems, they had no association with prosocial behavior. The effects of low income were mediated by parental psychological distress (45.0% of the total effect) and the number of consulting sources (20.8%) on behavioral problems. The effects of life-related and child-related deprivation were mediated by parental psychological distress (29.2–35.0%) and the number of consulting sources (6.4–6.9%) on behavioral problems. Life-related and child-related deprivation, but not low income, are important for child mental health.

Correspondência entre conhecimentos maternos sobre desenvolvimento infantil e cuidados de crianças menores de um ano

“…A interface entre pobreza e desenvolvimento infantil é de extrema relevância. Estudo encontrou que uma em cada dez crianças pertencentes a famílias de baixa renda tem privação relacionada à vida (falta de itens para viver) e à criança (por exemplo, falta de livros infantis) (31) , mostrando conexão com a privação ao desenvolvimento pleno. Circunstâncias vulneráveis ao desenvolvimento infantil, incluindo pobreza, baixa escolaridade materna e maus-tratos às crianças, constituem grandes desafios diante das disparidades socioeconômicas em vários países (32) .…”

Matching between maternal knowledge about infant development and care for children under one year old

“…The interface between poverty and infant development is extremely relevant. A study found that one in ten children belonging to low-income families has deprivation related to life (lack of items to live) and to the child itself (for example, lack of children's books) (31) , showing a connection with deprivation for full development. Circumstances vulnerable to infant development, including poverty, low maternal schooling and child abuse, represent major challenges in the face of socioeconomic disparities in several countries (32) .…”

Expectant mothers and fathers' knowledge of nurturing care in a developing country

“…It was reported that at least one out of every five children experiences financial deprivation, life-related deprivation, or child-related deprivation (lack of stimuli such as children's books, etc. ), while 1.4% of children experience these three deprivations together, thus falling behind their developmental potential, and more importantly, this is not known ( 57 ).…”