An article published in the Journal of Family Issues explores associations between maternal income during childhood and later adolescent health and behavioral outcomes. The authors find that net of other family income and demographic measures, higher maternal income in early childhood–that is, between 6 months of age and first grades–is associated with fewer adolescent problem behaviors at age 15, but not with changes in health outcomes. Maternal income in later childhood (Grade 3 through age 15) was not associated with either behavioral or health outcomes. The authors suggest that “investments in children between birth and first grade might be especially beneficial for reducing problem behaviors.”
