Work

Mothers’ Depression and Educational Attainment and their Children’s Academic Trajectories

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: In this study, we take a dynamic approach to studying the connections among mothers' education, their depression, and their children's academic trajectories during elementary school. Applying latent growth curve modeling to longitudinal data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N = 1,012), we find that maternal depression does not mediate the association between mothers' education and children's achievement. Instead, maternal education moderates the association between maternal depression and children's achievement. Specifically, maternal depression only predicted lower achievement for children of women who did not pursue higher education. These results highlight the role of mothers' mental health in the intergenerational linkage between mothers' and children's educational experiences.

Source: Journal of Health and Social Behavior

DOI: 10.1177/0022146510377757

Authors: Jennifer March Augustine, Robert Crosnoe

Institution: The University of Texas at Austin

Language: English

Topic: Family Dynamics and Relationships

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funders: University of Texas at Austin, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development