The influence of child care on the behavior problems of children of teenage mothers. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Edwards, Ben; Yu, Maggie
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 94(2018)
• Page Start: 96
• Page End: 104
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Social work with children -- Periodicals; Social work with youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Child Welfare -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Service social aux enfants -- Périodiques; Service social à la jeunesse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.09.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigates whether centre based childcare has a positive influence on behavioral outcomes of 1- to 2-year-old Australian children born to teenage mothers (M = 17.6 years). The sample included 317 children of young mothers in receipt of income support payments (M = 19.9 months; 49.5% female, 24.0% indigenous). Results from the propensity score weighting methods indicated that children's attendance at centre based care is associated with lower externalizing and internalizing behavioral problems. Guided by family stress model, we conducted multi-group path analysis to examine the associations between economic strain, maternal mental health, harsh parenting and behavioral outcomes. Results revealed that economic strain was associated with greater children's behavioral problems through maternal mental health problems and harsh parenting. Evidence of moderation by centre based childcare was found for children's internalizing, but not externalizing behavioral problems. The results suggested that policy interventions that consider encouraging children born to teenage mothers to attend centre based childcare might reduce internalizing problems behaviors in those children, especially in families experiencing economic strain. Highlights: examines protective effects of childcare for 1–3 year olds born to teenage mothers on welfare. Centre based care associated with lower externalizing and internalizing behavioral problems. Uses "doubly robust" methods to address selection bias into centre based care. Tests whether centre based care disrupts pathways in family stress model. Pathways between economic strain and harsh parenting on internalizing behavior disrupted.