Adjei, Nicholas Kofi, Schlüter, Daniela K, Melis, Gabriella 
ORCID: 0000-0001-7532-2563, Straatmann, Viviane S, Fleming, Kate M ORCID: 0000-0002-6572-5016, Wickham, Sophie, Munford, Luke, McGovern, Ruth, Howard, Louise M, Kaner, Eileen et al (show 2 more authors)
(2023)
Impact of Parental Mental Health and Poverty on the Health of the Next Generation: A Multi-Trajectory Analysis Using the UK Millennium Cohort Study
Journal of Adolescent Health, 74 (1).
pp. 60-70.
ISSN 1054-139X, 1879-1972
Abstract
Purpose: Exposure to parental mental ill-health and poverty in childhood impact health across the lifecourse. Both maternal and paternal mental health may be important influences, but few studies have unpicked the complex interrelationships between these exposures and family poverty for later health. Methods: We used longitudinal data on 10,500 children from the nationally representative UK millennium cohort study. Trajectories of poverty, maternal mental health, and secondary caregiver mental health were constructed from child age of 9 months through to 14 years. We assessed the associations of these trajectories with mental health outcomes at the age of 17 years. Population-attributable fractions were calculated to quantify the contribution of caregivers' mental health problems and poverty to adverse outcomes at the country level. Results: We identified five distinct trajectories. Compared with children with low poverty and good parental mental health, those who experienced poverty and poor primary or secondary caregiver mental health (53%) had worse outcomes. Children exposed to both persistent poverty and poor caregiver mental health were at markedly increased risk of socioemotional behavioural problems (aOR 4.2; 95% CI 2.7–6.7), mental health problems (aOR 2.5; CI 1.6–3.9), and cognitive disability (aOR 1.7; CI 1.1–2.5). We estimate that 40% of socioemotional behavioural problems at the age of 17 were attributable to persistent parental caregivers' mental health problems and poverty. Discussion: More than half of children growing up in the UK are persistently exposed to either one or both of poor caregiver mental health and family poverty. The combination of these exposures is strongly associated with adverse health outcomes in the next generation.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Poverty, Parental mental health, Adolescent health, Cohort, Multi-trajectory modelling, Population attributable fractions |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Oct 2023 07:37 |
| Last Modified: | 28 Feb 2026 17:47 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.07.029 |
| Open Access URL: | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/... |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3173670 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
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