About this study

This study examines the impact of household income on the behavioural development of children in New Zealand, focusing on the potential role of maternal stress and children's screen use. It investigates the differences in behaviour outcomes between children from high-and low-income families, with a particular interest in whether maternal stressand increased screen time in lower-income households contribute to these disparities. The research uses data from 6,852 children in the Growing Up inNew Zealand (GUiNZ) study, following children born in 2009-2010 in Auckland, Counties-Manukau, and Waikato regions. The study explores three key questions: the persistent effect of income on child behaviour, the influence of maternalstress and screen time, and whether these effects differ by child gender. Theanalysis follows children from pregnancy through to age 8, utilizing a fixed effects" approach to compare income fluctuations within the same households over time. The findings aim to inform policy interventions thatcan address developmental gaps, especially during critical early years, and support families with lower incomes.

Suggested citation

Jaimie Monk, Kate Prickett, Arthur Grimes, Philip S. Morrison (2024). The effect of income on New Zealand children’s behaviour: The influence of maternal stress and children’s screen use. Motu Economic and Public Policy Research. ISSN 1177-9047 (Online).

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