THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOW FAMILY INCOME AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTURBANCE IN YOUNG-CHILDREN - AN AUSTRALIAN LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

Objective: This study examines the relationship between low family inc ome (LFI) experienced at different points in time, chronic low income status and its impact on child behaviour measured at 5 years of age. M ethod: Longitudinal data from the Mater University Study of Pregnancy were used to measure LFI in families at three points in time (the ante natal period, 6 months post birth and at 5 years cf age). Outcome vari ables were three independent groups of behaviour problems labelled as externalising, social, attentional and thought (SAT) problems, and int ernalising problems. These groups were developed from the Child Behavi our Checklist. An analysis based on logistic regression modelling was carried out examining the relationship between LFI and a range of inte rmediate variables known to be associated with child behaviour problem s, Results: The more often families experienced low income, the higher the rate of child behaviour problems at age 5. Low family income was still independently associated with SAT behaviour problems after contr olling for smoking in the first trimester, parenting styles, maternal depression and marital dysharmony at age 5, The association between LF I and internalising and externalising behaviour problems was largely m ediated by maternal depression. Conclusion: Low family income is a sig nificant factor in the aetiology of a variety of child behaviour probl ems. The mechanisms involved in the link between LFI and childhood int ernalising and externalising behaviours involve the exposure of the ch ildren to maternal depression. However, the relationship between LFI a nd SAT behaviour problems remains to be elucidated.