Pub Date : 2020-07-02DOI: 10.1080/10796126.2020.1802649
Ann M. Aviles, Kathleen McCallops, M. Hussain, James Highberger, Rachel Ryding, Sharon Merriman-Nai, Henry May
ABSTRACT This study provides information about the prevalence, living conditions, and demographic characteristics of housing instability among students in the state of Delaware. Data were obtained from the Delaware Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) for the 2011–2017 academic years and included 23,819 youth respondents in grades 6–12. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted to characterize student demographics. Results show that 3.6% (about one out of 30) of Delaware students, grades 6–12, experience housing instability, and this rate was consistent across urban and rural areas. Findings also reveal that males and students of color were more likely to experience housing instability. Results obtained are utilized to understand the prevalence of housing instability and to inform schools, communities, and policy makers of ways to support and strengthen services and programming for students’ academic needs and well-being.
{"title":"Using Youth Risk Behavior Survey data to analyze housing instability among Delaware public school students","authors":"Ann M. Aviles, Kathleen McCallops, M. Hussain, James Highberger, Rachel Ryding, Sharon Merriman-Nai, Henry May","doi":"10.1080/10796126.2020.1802649","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10796126.2020.1802649","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This study provides information about the prevalence, living conditions, and demographic characteristics of housing instability among students in the state of Delaware. Data were obtained from the Delaware Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) for the 2011–2017 academic years and included 23,819 youth respondents in grades 6–12. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted to characterize student demographics. Results show that 3.6% (about one out of 30) of Delaware students, grades 6–12, experience housing instability, and this rate was consistent across urban and rural areas. Findings also reveal that males and students of color were more likely to experience housing instability. Results obtained are utilized to understand the prevalence of housing instability and to inform schools, communities, and policy makers of ways to support and strengthen services and programming for students’ academic needs and well-being.","PeriodicalId":35244,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Children and Poverty","volume":"26 1","pages":"215 - 236"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10796126.2020.1802649","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43075885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-07-02DOI: 10.1080/10796126.2020.1799338
Jillian S. Merrick, Angela J. Narayan
ABSTRACT Despite empirical evidence documenting the role of positive childhood experiences in predicting adaptation over the lifespan and across generations, this research has not yet been fully integrated into public health and policy efforts. We argue that adults' benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) should be measured in large-scale data collection efforts, such as statewide surveys, alongside more routinely collected adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). We also outline several recommended strategies in which the assessment and screening of positive childhood experiences could be implemented as a counterpart to community health and primary care screening for childhood adversity in adults, with short- and long-term benefits. Pediatric physicians should screen children and adolescents for their current positive childhood experiences as well. The assessment of positive childhood experiences is essential to empirically identifying resilience resources linked with better long-term adaptation, understanding how positive experiences may counteract the long-term effects of childhood adversity in underserved and traumatized individuals, informing medical providers' knowledge about patients' strengths in addition to challenges, and instilling hope in individuals and families experiencing stress.
{"title":"Assessment and screening of positive childhood experiences along with childhood adversity in research, practice, and policy","authors":"Jillian S. Merrick, Angela J. Narayan","doi":"10.1080/10796126.2020.1799338","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10796126.2020.1799338","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Despite empirical evidence documenting the role of positive childhood experiences in predicting adaptation over the lifespan and across generations, this research has not yet been fully integrated into public health and policy efforts. We argue that adults' benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) should be measured in large-scale data collection efforts, such as statewide surveys, alongside more routinely collected adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). We also outline several recommended strategies in which the assessment and screening of positive childhood experiences could be implemented as a counterpart to community health and primary care screening for childhood adversity in adults, with short- and long-term benefits. Pediatric physicians should screen children and adolescents for their current positive childhood experiences as well. The assessment of positive childhood experiences is essential to empirically identifying resilience resources linked with better long-term adaptation, understanding how positive experiences may counteract the long-term effects of childhood adversity in underserved and traumatized individuals, informing medical providers' knowledge about patients' strengths in addition to challenges, and instilling hope in individuals and families experiencing stress.","PeriodicalId":35244,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Children and Poverty","volume":"26 1","pages":"269 - 281"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10796126.2020.1799338","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43136633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-07-02DOI: 10.1080/10796126.2020.1826246
T. Vartanian, Linda Houser
ABSTRACT Nationally representative studies of childhood obesity have examined the roles played by neighborhood conditions and by SNAP use, but not the effects of these factors together or in interaction. We used restricted, geocoded data from the 1986–2012 Child and Young Adult sample of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth with sibling fixed effects models to explore the effects of time receiving SNAP within disadvantaged neighborhoods on child obesity. Time participating in SNAP during ages 2–8 and ages 14–18 was associated with a lower proportion of time obese for children in disadvantaged neighborhoods, to an increasing degree as the level of neighborhood advantage declined. Given that most individuals who spend an extended period of time using SNAP live in the least advantaged neighborhoods, these results suggest that SNAP participation during these childhood years may help to reduce proportion of time obese as a child. Overall, results of this investigation suggest that participation in SNAP may have protective effects for children living in low-income households within disadvantaged neighborhoods.
{"title":"The interactive role of SNAP participation and residential neighborhood in childhood obesity","authors":"T. Vartanian, Linda Houser","doi":"10.1080/10796126.2020.1826246","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10796126.2020.1826246","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Nationally representative studies of childhood obesity have examined the roles played by neighborhood conditions and by SNAP use, but not the effects of these factors together or in interaction. We used restricted, geocoded data from the 1986–2012 Child and Young Adult sample of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth with sibling fixed effects models to explore the effects of time receiving SNAP within disadvantaged neighborhoods on child obesity. Time participating in SNAP during ages 2–8 and ages 14–18 was associated with a lower proportion of time obese for children in disadvantaged neighborhoods, to an increasing degree as the level of neighborhood advantage declined. Given that most individuals who spend an extended period of time using SNAP live in the least advantaged neighborhoods, these results suggest that SNAP participation during these childhood years may help to reduce proportion of time obese as a child. Overall, results of this investigation suggest that participation in SNAP may have protective effects for children living in low-income households within disadvantaged neighborhoods.","PeriodicalId":35244,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Children and Poverty","volume":"26 1","pages":"167 - 189"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10796126.2020.1826246","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43327515","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-07-02DOI: 10.1080/10796126.2020.1813535
Barbara Duffield
ABSTRACT The homelessness response system in the United States is dominated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD’s definition of homelessness, program models, metrics, data, approaches, and goals have overshadowed those of other federal agencies. This policy brief argues that children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness have been poorly served by HUD’s dominance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It proposes that other federal agencies, specifically the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education, are better suited to provide comprehensive homeless assistance for children, youth, and families. The author draws from research, policy analyses, and testimonies of parents, service providers, and educators to make the case for a reimagined homelessness response that is child-centered and oriented toward long-term goals of economic independence, health, and wellness.
{"title":"Reimagining homelessness assistance for children and families","authors":"Barbara Duffield","doi":"10.1080/10796126.2020.1813535","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10796126.2020.1813535","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The homelessness response system in the United States is dominated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD’s definition of homelessness, program models, metrics, data, approaches, and goals have overshadowed those of other federal agencies. This policy brief argues that children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness have been poorly served by HUD’s dominance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It proposes that other federal agencies, specifically the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education, are better suited to provide comprehensive homeless assistance for children, youth, and families. The author draws from research, policy analyses, and testimonies of parents, service providers, and educators to make the case for a reimagined homelessness response that is child-centered and oriented toward long-term goals of economic independence, health, and wellness.","PeriodicalId":35244,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Children and Poverty","volume":"26 1","pages":"293 - 313"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10796126.2020.1813535","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41578916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-07-02DOI: 10.1080/10796126.2020.1834804
Caitlyn R. Owens, Evadine L. Codd, M. Haskett
ABSTRACT Adolescence is a critical developmental period when youth are transitioning to be more independent while also being at heightened risk for negative developmental trajectories. This is especially true for adolescent youth experiencing homelessness. Using state population-representative 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data, we examined the association between youth homelessness and engagement in risk-taking behaviors. The moderating roles of parental monitoring and social support were also examined. We found that 2.8% (8,922) of students were experiencing homelessness, and youth homelessness was associated with engagement in a greater number of risk-taking behavior types. The association between youth homelessness and risk-taking behaviors was not moderated by parental monitoring, which was high for stably housed youth as well as homeless youth. Social support was a significant moderator. For stably housed youth, the presence of someone to talk to when youth were feeling sad was associated with engagement in fewer risk-taking behaviors. Conversely, for homeless youth, having someone to talk to when the youth were feeling sad was associated with higher engagement in risk-taking behaviors. Findings extend our understanding of risk-taking behaviors among homeless youth, a particularly vulnerable group of adolescents. The study has implications for prevention and intervention efforts to support homeless youth.
{"title":"Risk-taking behaviors of homeless youth: moderation by parental monitoring and social support","authors":"Caitlyn R. Owens, Evadine L. Codd, M. Haskett","doi":"10.1080/10796126.2020.1834804","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10796126.2020.1834804","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Adolescence is a critical developmental period when youth are transitioning to be more independent while also being at heightened risk for negative developmental trajectories. This is especially true for adolescent youth experiencing homelessness. Using state population-representative 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data, we examined the association between youth homelessness and engagement in risk-taking behaviors. The moderating roles of parental monitoring and social support were also examined. We found that 2.8% (8,922) of students were experiencing homelessness, and youth homelessness was associated with engagement in a greater number of risk-taking behavior types. The association between youth homelessness and risk-taking behaviors was not moderated by parental monitoring, which was high for stably housed youth as well as homeless youth. Social support was a significant moderator. For stably housed youth, the presence of someone to talk to when youth were feeling sad was associated with engagement in fewer risk-taking behaviors. Conversely, for homeless youth, having someone to talk to when the youth were feeling sad was associated with higher engagement in risk-taking behaviors. Findings extend our understanding of risk-taking behaviors among homeless youth, a particularly vulnerable group of adolescents. The study has implications for prevention and intervention efforts to support homeless youth.","PeriodicalId":35244,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Children and Poverty","volume":"26 1","pages":"237 - 251"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10796126.2020.1834804","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41394709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-07-02DOI: 10.1080/10796126.2020.1830352
Ralph da Costa Nunez
{"title":"Letter from the editor","authors":"Ralph da Costa Nunez","doi":"10.1080/10796126.2020.1830352","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10796126.2020.1830352","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35244,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Children and Poverty","volume":"26 1","pages":"103 - 104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10796126.2020.1830352","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42076947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-07-02DOI: 10.1080/10796126.2020.1835131
Erika L Thompson, Annalynn M. Galvin, Danielle Rohr, Carol Klocek, H. Lowe, Emily E. Spence
ABSTRACT This study examined the journey of families with children seeking shelter to inform future system navigation solutions that will serve this population. Families living in emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, or unsheltered were interviewed (n = 24). Participants created a journey mapping of their path through the homelessness system and described the barriers they encountered. Most participants were women (79%), and the number of children per family ranged from one to five, with an average of 2.5 children. For these 24 participants, the average length of time between the interview and their last permanent housing was 68.5 weeks with one to eight transitions in living situations (e.g., domestic violence shelter, doubled-up) having transpired over that period. The top three barriers to exiting homelessness–transportation issues, finding and keeping employment, and child care needs–co-occurred and appeared to be interrelated. Families faced unique challenges, which included safety concerns, space obstacles, and a need for children’s activities. Examining families’ lived experiences during their homelessness journeys can help policymakers, social service providers, and communities understand the burden that families experiencing homelessness face while attempting to provide for their children and the adverse experiences children may encounter during the journey.
{"title":"Navigating the system for families experiencing homelessness: a community-driven exploration of barriers encountered","authors":"Erika L Thompson, Annalynn M. Galvin, Danielle Rohr, Carol Klocek, H. Lowe, Emily E. Spence","doi":"10.1080/10796126.2020.1835131","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10796126.2020.1835131","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This study examined the journey of families with children seeking shelter to inform future system navigation solutions that will serve this population. Families living in emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, or unsheltered were interviewed (n = 24). Participants created a journey mapping of their path through the homelessness system and described the barriers they encountered. Most participants were women (79%), and the number of children per family ranged from one to five, with an average of 2.5 children. For these 24 participants, the average length of time between the interview and their last permanent housing was 68.5 weeks with one to eight transitions in living situations (e.g., domestic violence shelter, doubled-up) having transpired over that period. The top three barriers to exiting homelessness–transportation issues, finding and keeping employment, and child care needs–co-occurred and appeared to be interrelated. Families faced unique challenges, which included safety concerns, space obstacles, and a need for children’s activities. Examining families’ lived experiences during their homelessness journeys can help policymakers, social service providers, and communities understand the burden that families experiencing homelessness face while attempting to provide for their children and the adverse experiences children may encounter during the journey.","PeriodicalId":35244,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Children and Poverty","volume":"26 1","pages":"253 - 267"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10796126.2020.1835131","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47866257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-06-23DOI: 10.1080/10796126.2020.1782176
Y. Vissing, Diane Nilan
ABSTRACT Policymakers have used the same basic paradigms year after year with minimal success in preventing family homelessness. This policy brief promotes the view that child and family homelessness can overwhelmingly be prevented but only if a different paradigm is employed. The new paradigm would focus on the integration of public health, human rights, human dignity, and trauma prevention.
{"title":"Changing the paradigm of family homelessness","authors":"Y. Vissing, Diane Nilan","doi":"10.1080/10796126.2020.1782176","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10796126.2020.1782176","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Policymakers have used the same basic paradigms year after year with minimal success in preventing family homelessness. This policy brief promotes the view that child and family homelessness can overwhelmingly be prevented but only if a different paradigm is employed. The new paradigm would focus on the integration of public health, human rights, human dignity, and trauma prevention.","PeriodicalId":35244,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Children and Poverty","volume":"26 1","pages":"283 - 291"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10796126.2020.1782176","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48169555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-06-15DOI: 10.1080/10796126.2020.1776688
E. Edwards
ABSTRACT Youth homelessness is a growing crisis impacting urban high schools across the United States. Black youth, in particular, are disproportionately affected. While the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is designed to provide educational access to students experiencing homelessness, the extent to which the policy supports Black students is unclear. This qualitative study uses structural racism as an analytic framework to examine the narratives of eight Black youth who successfully graduated high school while experiencing homelessness. Findings show that being Black and experiencing homelessness creates unique challenges for accessing resources under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Participants identified hostile racial climates at school as a common deterrent from disclosing their homeless status to adults at school, thereby restricting their access to federal support. The findings suggest the need for race-conscious language and interventions to be included in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Additionally, the author urges more researchers studying youth homelessness to use a critical racial lens to address the racial knowledge gap that exists in the current literature on student homelessness.
{"title":"Young, Black, successful, and homeless: examining the unique academic challenges of Black students who experienced homelessness","authors":"E. Edwards","doi":"10.1080/10796126.2020.1776688","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10796126.2020.1776688","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Youth homelessness is a growing crisis impacting urban high schools across the United States. Black youth, in particular, are disproportionately affected. While the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is designed to provide educational access to students experiencing homelessness, the extent to which the policy supports Black students is unclear. This qualitative study uses structural racism as an analytic framework to examine the narratives of eight Black youth who successfully graduated high school while experiencing homelessness. Findings show that being Black and experiencing homelessness creates unique challenges for accessing resources under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Participants identified hostile racial climates at school as a common deterrent from disclosing their homeless status to adults at school, thereby restricting their access to federal support. The findings suggest the need for race-conscious language and interventions to be included in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Additionally, the author urges more researchers studying youth homelessness to use a critical racial lens to address the racial knowledge gap that exists in the current literature on student homelessness.","PeriodicalId":35244,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Children and Poverty","volume":"26 1","pages":"125 - 149"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10796126.2020.1776688","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48676045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-06-04DOI: 10.1080/10796126.2020.1764188
Evva Assing-Murray, Lydie A. Lebrun-Harris
ABSTRACT This study examines the association between parent-reported family economic hardship (FEH) and child mental health conditions. We hypothesized a positive association between parent perceptions of FEH and child mental health conditions that would persist after controlling for underlying demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Cross-sectional data came from the 2016 and 2017 National Surveys of Children's Health (NSCH), nationally representative surveys of non-institutionalized children in the United States, aged 0–17 years. We conducted chi-square as well as multivariable logistic regression analyses to investigate the relationships between FEH and internalizing disorders and behavioral/conduct problems among children ages 3–17 years. Overall, one in four children experienced FEH during their lifetime. FEH was statistically significantly (p < 0.0001) and positively correlated with each mental health condition, and the association remained after adjusting for covariates. Specifically, FEH was associated with 84% increased odds of having an internalizing disorder (OR = 1.84, 95%, CI: 1.54–2.20) and 53% increased odds of having behavioral/conduct problems (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.25–1.87). Findings suggest that income alone may be an insufficient predictor of the health risks of economic hardship. Further research should examine FEH as a broader measure of disadvantage and its relationship with child health.
{"title":"Associations between parent-reported family economic hardship and mental health conditions in U.S. children","authors":"Evva Assing-Murray, Lydie A. Lebrun-Harris","doi":"10.1080/10796126.2020.1764188","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10796126.2020.1764188","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This study examines the association between parent-reported family economic hardship (FEH) and child mental health conditions. We hypothesized a positive association between parent perceptions of FEH and child mental health conditions that would persist after controlling for underlying demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Cross-sectional data came from the 2016 and 2017 National Surveys of Children's Health (NSCH), nationally representative surveys of non-institutionalized children in the United States, aged 0–17 years. We conducted chi-square as well as multivariable logistic regression analyses to investigate the relationships between FEH and internalizing disorders and behavioral/conduct problems among children ages 3–17 years. Overall, one in four children experienced FEH during their lifetime. FEH was statistically significantly (p < 0.0001) and positively correlated with each mental health condition, and the association remained after adjusting for covariates. Specifically, FEH was associated with 84% increased odds of having an internalizing disorder (OR = 1.84, 95%, CI: 1.54–2.20) and 53% increased odds of having behavioral/conduct problems (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.25–1.87). Findings suggest that income alone may be an insufficient predictor of the health risks of economic hardship. Further research should examine FEH as a broader measure of disadvantage and its relationship with child health.","PeriodicalId":35244,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Children and Poverty","volume":"26 1","pages":"191 - 214"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10796126.2020.1764188","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41870698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}