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Pathways Linking Childhood SES and Adult Health Behaviors and Psychological Resources in Black and White Men

NCJ Number
254351
Journal
Annals of Behavioral Medicine Volume: 52 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2018 Pages: 1023-1035
Author(s)
Jennifer M. Boylan; Jenny M. Cundiff; Karen P. Jakubowski; Dustin A. Pardini; Karen A. Matthews
Date Published
December 2018
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Since there is little prospective evidence available regarding the testing of pathways that link low childhood socioeconomic status (SES) to adult health, the current study examined indirect effects through positive parenting in adolescence and adult SES in the association between childhood SES and adult health behaviors and psychological resources.
Abstract
Men (n = 305; 53 percent Black) were followed longitudinally from ages 7 to 32. SES was measured annually in childhood (ages 7-9) and again in adulthood (age 32), using the Hollingshead index. Parenting was assessed annually (ages 13-16) with caregivers' and boys' self-report of supervision, communication, and expectations for their son's future. Health behaviors (cigarette and alcohol use, fruit and vegetable consumption, and physical activity) and psychological resources (optimism, purpose in life, self-mastery, and self-esteem) were assessed in adulthood (age 32). Structural equation modeling showed that higher childhood SES was associated with more positive parenting in adolescence and higher adult SES. Higher childhood SES was indirectly associated with healthier behaviors and higher psychological resources in adulthood through pathways involving positive parenting during adolescence and SES in adulthood. Findings were consistent in both racial groups. Based on these findings, the study concludes that positive parenting in adolescence was an important pathway in understanding associations between childhood SES and health behaviors and psychological resources in adulthood. Low childhood SES was prospectively associated with healthier behaviors and greater psychological resources partly through more positive parenting in adolescence. (publisher abstract modified)