Does Household Food Insecurity Affect Parenting and Child Behavior Problems in Low-Income Household?: Further Evidence from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics

Does Household Food Insecurity Affect Parenting and Child Behavior Problems in Low-income Household?: Further Evidence from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics

Background: Previous studies have found that children experiencing food insecurity are more likely to have behavior problems. Slack and Yoo (2005) identified that the association between food insecurity and child behavior problems was mediated by parenting characteristics (such as parental stress and parental warmth). When parenting characteristics were included in the model, the significant effect of food insecurity on child behavior problems disappeared. This is consistent with the Family Stress Model. However, the variance shared commonly by household food security status and parenting characteristics could be influenced by additional confounding factors such as low SES. New evidence is needed to support the mediation effect of parenting characteristics on food insecurity and child behavior problems.

Method: This study uses the CDS data of the PSID (wave I and II). A sample of 377 children from 268 low-income households (income-needs ratio <2) are analyzed. Child behavior problems are measured by behavior problem index (Cronbach's alpha=.90). Food insecurity status is measured by the Food Insecurity Core Module. First, this study replicates the analysis of Slack and Yoo (2005) using the food insecurity scale in 2001 and child behavior problems and parenting characteristics measured in 2002. Second, the analysis is run using parenting characteristics measured in 1997, replacing parenting characteristics measured in 2002. By using the earlier (1997) parenting measure, the proposed mediator between food insecurity (2001) and child behavior problems (2002) is removed. If Slack and Yoo's idea about the mediating variable is correct then we hypothesize a significant relationship between food hardship and child behavior when the earlier parenting characteristics are included in the model. Finally the study uses the first difference model (FD) to control for confounding factors which might influence household food security status, parenting characteristics, and child behavior problems.

Results: Model replication produces similar results with Slack and Yoo (2005). The significance of food insecurity on child behavior problems disappears when controlling for parental characteristics. However, the significance of food hardship on child behavior problems shows again in the model when earlier parenting characteristics are included in the model. This result further supports the finding of Slack and Yoo (2005) that food insecurity has indirect impacts on child behavior problems. The FD model diminishes the significance of food insecurity, and also decreases the effects of parenting characteristics on child behavior problems.

Implications: Although the analysis provides some positive evidence of the mediation effects of parental characteristics, the results of the FD model suggest possible effects from confounding factors. The hypothesis of Slack and Yoo (2005) needs to be examined by further research. In addition, future studies should particularly focus on the issue of long-term or persistent food insecurity, and its effects on the well-being of families and children.

References

Slack, K. & Yoo. J. (2005). Food hardship and child behavior problems among low-income children. Social Service Review, 79(3), 512-536.