The influence of child care on the behavior problems of children of teenage mothers

This study investigates whether centre based childcare has a positive influence on behavioral outcomes of 1- to 2-year-old Australian children born to teenage mothers (M = 17.6 years). The sample included 317 children of young mothers in receipt of income support payments (M = 19.9 months; 49.5% female, 24.0% indigenous). Results from the propensity score weighting methods indicated that children's attendance at centre based care is associated with lower externalizing and internalizing behavioral problems. Guided by family stress model, we conducted multi-group path analysis to examine the associations between economic strain, maternal mental health, harsh parenting and behavioral outcomes. Results revealed that economic strain was associated with greater children's behavioral problems through maternal mental health problems and harsh parenting. Evidence of moderation by centre based childcare was found for children's internalizing, but not externalizing behavioral problems. The results suggested that policy interventions that consider encouraging children born to teenage mothers to attend centre based childcare might reduce internalizing problems behaviors in those children, especially in families experiencing economic strain.