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

Yui Yamaoka, Aya Isumi, Satomi Doi, Manami Ochi and Takeo Fujiwara
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Yui Yamaoka: Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
Aya Isumi: Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
Satomi Doi: Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
Manami Ochi: Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
Takeo Fujiwara: Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-12

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.

Keywords: poverty; material deprivation; child behavioral problem; prosocial skill (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:11821-:d:676852

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