What matters for well-being in
early childhood? Evidence from
the Millennium Cohort Study
Kathleen Kiernan
University of York
K.Kiernan University of York
The Early Years Matter
• Neurons to Neighbourhoods –concluded”
“ virtually every aspect of human development, from
the brains evolving circuitry to the child’s capacity for
empathy, is affected by the environment and
experiences that are encountered in a cumulative
fashion, beginning in the pre-natal period and
extending throughout the early childhood years”
US National Academy of Sciences 2000
K.Kiernan University of York
Millennium Cohort Study
• Initially 18553 Families 18819 Children
– Born in 2001-2
– Families interviewed when baby 9 months old and ages 3,
5 and 7 years
• Over-representation
– Children in disadvantaged areas
– Ethnic minority communities
– Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Linkage to hospital and school records
K.Kiernan University of York
Cognitive and Behaviour Children’s outcomes
at age 5
Learning and development (Foundation stage profile – QCA 2003)
- Communication, language and literacy (CLL)
- Mathematical development
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
- Physical development
- Creative development
Behaviour – total difficulties score - (SDQ – Goodman 1997)
- Emotional symptoms
- Conduct problems
- Hyperactivity
- Peer problems
K.Kiernan University of York
Focal Factors
History of Poverty
History of Maternal Depression
Parenting at age 3 (Mediator)
K.Kiernan University of York
Income poverty
History of income poverty1
%
None reported
61
At 9 months or age 3 (Early)
13
At age 5 (Current)
12
At 9 months, age 3 and age 5
(Persistent)
14
1less
than 60 percent of the median for the UK
K.Kiernan University of York
Odds (ratios) of being in lowest decile of
the CLL assessment
5.6
Persistent Poverty
2.2
3.2
Current Poverty
Unadjusted
1.7
Adjusted
2.5
Earlier Poverty
1.4
0
2
K.Kiernan University of York
4
6
Other factors taken into account
•
Child attributes
–
–
–
–
–
–
•
Mother’s attributes
–
–
–
–
•
Gender and age
Birth Order (first versus later born)
Number of siblings
Ethnicity
Low birth weight
Breast fed
Age at first birth
Educational Qualifications of Mother
Locus of control
Smoked during pregnancy
Family attributes
–
–
–
–
–
Family history
Work History
Housing Tenure
Index of Multiple Deprivation
Language spoken in the home
K.Kiernan University of York
Odds (ratios) of having high levels of
behaviour problems at age 5
4.4
Persistent Poverty
1.3
2.6
Current Poverty
Unadjusted
1.2
Adjusted
2.3
Earlier Poverty
1.2
0
2
K.Kiernan University of York
4
6
Maternal depression and anxiety
History of maternal depression
and anxiety1
None reported
%
At 9 months or age 3 (Prior)
14
At age 5 (Current)
12
At 9 months, age 3 and age 5
3
1Assessed
70
University
of York scale at 3 and 5 years
using Malaise scale at 9 K.Kiernan
months
and Kessler
Odds (ratios) of being in lowest decile of
CLL Assessment
3.5
Persistent Depression
2.1
1.9
Current Depression
1.4
Unadjusted
Adjusted
1.7
Earlier Depression
1.3
0
2
K.Kiernan University of York
4
Odds (ratios)of having high levels of
behaviour problems at age 5
11.6
Persistent Depression
7.4
6.8
Current Depression
5.5
Unadjusted
Adjusted
3.5
Earlier Depression
2.8
0
5
K.Kiernan University of York
10
15
Findings on Poverty and Depression
• Poverty matters for children’s cognitive
development but less so for behaviour
problems
• Maternal Depression matters notably so for
behaviour problems but also for children’s
cognitive development
K.Kiernan University of York
Parenting matters
K.Kiernan University of York
Parenting measures (at Age 3)
• Parental warmth and Parental Conflict
• Positive and negative discipline
• Irregular Meal times and Bedtimes
• Frequency of reading to the child
• Home Learning Environment
K.Kiernan University of York
Parenting and Child Outcomes
Odds Ratios
CLL
SDQ
Warmth - Low
2.9
3.2
Conflict - High
1.9
9.7
Irregular Mealtimes
2.5
3.3
Rarely reads
3.9
3.2
Smacks frequently
1.3 ns
3.0
K.Kiernan University of York
School Performance – Percentage performing at
a good level
No Poverty and Positive
Parenting
No Poverty and Poor
Parenting
No Poverty (Total)
73%
42%
60%
Persistent Poverty and
Positive Parenting
Persistent Poverty and Poor
Parenting
Persistent Poverty (Total)
58%
19%
26%
K.Kiernan University of York
Take away messages for the life
chances of children
• Poverty matters
• Maternal Mental Health Matters
• Parenting Matters
Poverty and Parenting have risen up the policy
agenda whereas maternal health has received
less attention.
• A distance to go in reducing the gaps and
gradients in the early years
K.Kiernan University of York