Self-sufficiency at Ages 27 to 33 Years: Factors Present Between Birth and 18 Years That Predict Educational Attainment Among Children Born to Inner-city Families

• Published in: Pediatrics (Evanston) 1997-01, Vol.99 (1), p.80-87
• Main Authors: Hardy, Janet B, Shapiro, Sam, Mellits, E. David, Skinner, Elizabeth A, Astone, Nan Marie, Ensminger, Margaret, LaVeist, Thomas, Baumgardner, Rosemary A, Starfield, Barbara H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Children & youth; Education; Educational psychology; Educational sociology; Educational Status; Employment; Ethnic Groups; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Inner cities; Inner city; Life Style; Male; Pediatrics; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Public policy; Pupil and student. Academic achievement and failure; Quality of Life; Retrospective Studies; Sex Factors; Social aspects; Socioeconomic Factors; Urban Population; Urban youth
• ISSN: 0031-4005; 1098-4275
• DOI: 10.1542/peds.99.1.80

Some inner-city infants grow to be successful, self-sufficient adults. This study is designed to identify characteristics from early childhood that foster or impede favorable outcomes and are useful for formulation of public policy. 2694 children (G-2s), born 1960 through 1965, to 2307 inner-city women (G-1s) enrolled in the Johns Hopkins Collaborative Perinatal Study. 1) prospective observations (birth through 8 years) of neurologic and cognitive development, health, behavior, and family and neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics and 2) completed interviews with 1758 G-2s (age 27 to 33) and 1552 G-1s, bridging the period from age 9 to present status. An intergenerational, life course model of development identified significant characteristics and events associated with G-2 outcome (education, physical and mental health, healthy lifestyle, and financial independence of public support, emphasizing educational attainment of a high school diploma or a graduate equivalency degree). Multiple logistic regression equations identified independent, predictive variables during infancy, preschool and early school years, and adolescence. The probability of a good outcome was estimated in the presence of combinations of the six variables most strongly associated with that outcome. Among G-2s, 79% had a successful outcome for education, 60% health, 70% lifestyle, and 76% for financial independence. Black G-2s had more favorable outcomes than white G-2s in education and lifestyle, whites for financial outcome; health did not differ by race. The six variables most predictive of adult education were: G-1 education at G-2 birth and G-2 attainment of honor roll, average or better reading skills at 8 years, avoidance of regular smoking, and pregnancy before age 18, and not repeating a grade in school. Substantial proportions of inner-city children become successful adults. Attention to improving public education, particularly language and reading skills, and the prevention of smoking and adolescent pregnancy are clearly indicated.