Massimiliano Orri1,2, Richard E Tremblay3,4, Christa Japel5, Michel Boivin6, Frank Vitaro7, Talia Losier8, Mara R Brendgen9, Bruno Falissard10, Maria Melchior11, Sylvana M Côté2,8. 1. Department of Psychiatry, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada. 2. Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, INSERM U1219, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France. 3. School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. 4. Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology, University of Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada. 5. Department of Education, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada. 6. School of Psychology, Laval University, Québec City, QC, Canada. 7. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada. 8. Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada. 9. Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada. 10. CESP, INSERM, Université Paris-Sud, UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France. 11. UPMC Université Paris 6, Inserm, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP UMRS 1136), Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Child-care services during early childhood provide opportunities for social interactions that may facilitate children's learning of acceptable social behaviors. Furthermore, they may reduce exposure to family adversity for some children. The aim of this study was to determine whether intensity of exposure to child-care services prior to age 5 years has a beneficial effect on disruptive behavior problems during adolescence, and whether the effect is more pronounced for children from low socioeconomic families. METHODS: N = 1,588 participants from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development were assessed 14 times from 5 months to 17 years. Intensity of child-care exposure was measured from 5 months to 5 years of age. Main outcomes were self-reported physical aggression and opposition from age 12 to 17 years. Family socioeconomic status (SES) was measured at 5 months. Factors explaining differences in child-care use were controlled using propensity score weights (PSW). RESULTS: Children exposed to moderate-intensity child-care services (part-time child-care services before 1½ years and full time afterward) reported lower levels of physical aggression (d = -.11, p = .056) and opposition (d = -.14, p = .029) during adolescence compared to children exposed to low-intensity child-care services. A significant child care by SES interaction (p = .017) for physical aggression indicated that the moderate-intensity child-care effect was specific to children from low SES families (d = -.36, p = .002). No interaction with socioeconomic status was found for opposition. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-intensity child-care services from infancy to school entry may prevent disruptive behavior during adolescence, especially for disadvantaged children.
BACKGROUND:Child-care services during early childhood provide opportunities for social interactions that may facilitate children's learning of acceptable social behaviors. Furthermore, they may reduce exposure to family adversity for some children. The aim of this study was to determine whether intensity of exposure to child-care services prior to age 5 years has a beneficial effect on disruptive behavior problems during adolescence, and whether the effect is more pronounced for children from low socioeconomic families. METHODS: N = 1,588 participants from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development were assessed 14 times from 5 months to 17 years. Intensity of child-care exposure was measured from 5 months to 5 years of age. Main outcomes were self-reported physical aggression and opposition from age 12 to 17 years. Family socioeconomic status (SES) was measured at 5 months. Factors explaining differences in child-care use were controlled using propensity score weights (PSW). RESULTS:Children exposed to moderate-intensity child-care services (part-time child-care services before 1½ years and full time afterward) reported lower levels of physical aggression (d = -.11, p = .056) and opposition (d = -.14, p = .029) during adolescence compared to children exposed to low-intensity child-care services. A significant child care by SES interaction (p = .017) for physical aggression indicated that the moderate-intensity child-care effect was specific to children from low SES families (d = -.36, p = .002). No interaction with socioeconomic status was found for opposition. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-intensity child-care services from infancy to school entry may prevent disruptive behavior during adolescence, especially for disadvantaged children.
Authors: Massimiliano Orri; Michel Boivin; Chelsea Chen; Marilyn N Ahun; Marie-Claude Geoffroy; Isabelle Ouellet-Morin; Richard E Tremblay; Sylvana M Côté Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2020-11-13 Impact factor: 4.328