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Maternal health and child socio-emotional development: findings from the growing up in New Zealand study

Author

Listed:
  • Yanshu Huang

    (Institute for Social Science Research
    The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families Over the Life Course)

  • Juliana Silva-Goncalves

    (The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families Over the Life Course
    The University of Sydney)

  • Jack Lam

    (The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families Over the Life Course
    The University of Melbourne)

  • Janeen Baxter

    (Institute for Social Science Research
    The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families Over the Life Course)

Abstract

We study the influence of maternal chronic illness and disability on the socio-emotional development of children across early to mid-childhood using the Growing Up in New Zealand study. Controlling for a host of relevant maternal, household and child characteristics, our results show a negative link between maternal chronic illness and disability and child socio-emotional outcomes at eight years of age. At earlier ages, the evidence of a relationship between maternal health and child socio-emotional outcomes is weaker. We also find that maternal parenting style and depression mediate the relationship between maternal chronic illness and disability and child socio-emotional outcomes. Specifically, parenting style mediates the relationship between maternal chronic illness and disability and child socio-emotional outcomes in early childhood, at age 2, but not at age 5, and for boys after commencement of formal education, at age 8. In contrast, maternal depression consistently mediates the relationship between maternal chronic illness and disability and child socio-emotional outcomes from early to mid-childhood, and for both boys and girls. Our findings stress the need to better understand both direct and indirect effects of maternal health on the formation of skills in childhood that influence future life chances.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanshu Huang & Juliana Silva-Goncalves & Jack Lam & Janeen Baxter, 2025. "Maternal health and child socio-emotional development: findings from the growing up in New Zealand study," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 443-503, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:reveho:v:23:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s11150-024-09753-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11150-024-09753-2
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Maternal chronic illness; Maternal disability; Maternal depression; Child socio-emotional outcomes; Parenting style;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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