Campus Units
Human Development and Family Studies
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Accepted Manuscript
Publication Date
4-10-2017
Journal or Book Title
Child Youth Care Forum
Volume
46
Issue
5
First Page
703
Last Page
720
DOI
10.1007/s10566-017-9401-6
Abstract
Background
Exposure to multiple stressors and lack of access to resources place rural children at high risk for adverse consequences. Family Stress Model guided this study to examine relations between two stressors- food insecurity and maternal depressive symptoms, and behavior problems among younger and older rural children.
Objective
To test associations between food insecurity, maternal depressive symptoms, and behavior problems among younger and older rural low-income children.
Methods
Cross-sectional data from 370 low-income rural families across 13 states was analyzed using structural equation modeling and multiple group analyses. Mothers’ education level, household income, marital/partner status, and participation in SNAP served as covariates.
Results
Among younger children, maternal depressive symptoms partially mediated the relation between food insecurity and child externalizing behaviors, while among older children, maternal depressive symptoms completely mediated the relation between food insecurity and child internalizing and externalizing behaviors.
Conclusions
Stress manifested directly from, or indirectly through, maternal depressive symptoms and from food insecurity was related to behavior problems among younger and older rural children; however, the relations varied by age of children. Programs and policies that prevent or lessen both food insecurity and maternal depression may help to lessen problem behaviors among on rural children. Longitudinal studies are needed to rigorously examine causation and directionality among food insecurity, maternal depression and rural child behavior problems, while accounting for influences of child, caregiver and family characteristics.
Copyright Owner
Springer Nature
Copyright Date
2017
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Greder, Kimberly A.; Peng, Cheng; Doudna, Kimberly D.; and Sarver, Susan L., "Role of Family Stressors on Rural Low-Income Children’s Behaviors" (2017). Human Development and Family Studies Publications. 145.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/hdfs_pubs/145
Included in
Community-Based Research Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Food Studies Commons, Human Ecology Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Rural Sociology Commons
Comments
This accepted article is published as Greder, K.A., Peng, C., Doudna, K.D. et al. Role of Family Stressors on Rural Low-Income Children’s Behaviors. Child Youth Care Forum 46, 703–720 (2017); doi:10.1007/s10566-017-9401-6. Posted with permission.