SELF-SUFFICIENCY AT AGES 27 TO 33 YEARS - FACTORS PRESENT BETWEEN BIRTH AND 18 YEARS THAT PREDICT EDUCATIONAL-ATTAINMENT AMONG CHILDREN BORN TO INNER-CITY FAMILIES

Objectives. Some inner-city infants grow to be successful, self-suffic ient adults. This study is designed to identify characteristics from e arly childhood that foster or impede favorable outcomes and are useful for formulation of public policy. Methods. Population: 2694 children (G-2s), born 1960 through 1965, to 2307 inner-city women (G-1s) enroll ed in the Johns Hopkins Collaborative Perinatal Study. Data: 1) prospe ctive observations (birth through 8 years) of neurologic and cognitive development, health, behavior, and family and neighborhood socioecono mic characteristics and 2) completed interviews with 1758 G-2s (age 27 to 33) and 1552 G-ls, bridging the period from age 9 to present statu s. An intergenerational, life course model of development identified s ignificant characteristics and events associated with G-2 outcome (edu cation, physical and mental health, healthy lifestyle, and financial i ndependence of public support, emphasizing educational attainment of a high school diploma or a graduate equivalency degree). Multiple logis tic regression equations identified independent, predictive variables during infancy, preschool and early school years, and adolescence. The probability of a good outcome was estimated in the presence of combin ations of the six variables most strongly associated with that outcome . Results. Among G-2s, 79% had a successful outcome for education, 60% health, 70% lifestyle, and 76% for financial independence. Black G-2s had more favorable outcomes than white G-2s in education and lifestyl e, whites for financial outcome; health did not differ by race. The si x variables most predictive of adult education were: G-l education at G-2 birth and G-2 attainment of honor roll, average or better reading skills at 8 years, avoidance of regular smoking, and pregnancy before age 18, and not repeating a grade in school. Conclusions. Substantial proportions of inner-city children become successful adults. Attention to improving public education, particularly language and reading skil ls, and the prevention of smoking and adolescent pregnancy are dearly indicated.