The effect of income on New Zealand children’s behaviour: The influence of maternal stress and children’s screen use

This paper explores how a family’s income affects the behavioural development of children. The research finds that New Zealand children in higher-income households have fewer reported behavioural problems than children in lower-income households, even once socio-demographic and parenting differences are accounted for. In contrast, children across the income groups have similarly reported strengths (prosocial behaviour). New Zealand children grow up in a wide variety of environments, each of which shapes their development. Growing up free from the burden of poverty is linked to fewer behaviour problems. But the way poverty impacts children’s behaviour is poorly understood, particularly in Aotearoa New Zealand, yet is essential in targeting support to parents during the developmentally crucial early-to-middle years of childhood. This research explores the differences in New Zealand children’s behavioural outcomes between high- and low-income families and finds that a higher family income supports children’s behavioural development. Results emphasise the importance of the ‘first 1,000 days’. The associations between income and behaviour problems are greater during the preschool years when compared with when children were 8 years old. An examination of mothers’ stress and children’s screen time found that both factors explain part of the association between income and reports of children’s behaviour problems. These pathways however were strongest—or only existed—during the early childhood years suggesting a higher income provides for decreases in mothers’ stress, potentially freeing them up for more engaged parenting. Large amounts of screen time during early childhood are associated with poorer child outcomes, but the benefit of parents moderating children’s screens when they are older, or in small doses is unclear.