Housing Hardship and Child Behavior Problems from Early Childhood to Adolescence

Inability to afford stable housing is widespread throughout the United States among families with children. The struggle to afford monthly rent or mortgage payments can disrupt healthy family functioning and child well-being. The present study examined the link between missed rent or mortgage payments and child behavior problems in infancy through adolescence. Two longitudinal growth curve models tested concurrent and lagged effects between missed rent or mortgage payments and child internalizing and externalizing at ages 1, 3, 5, 9, and 15. Results suggested families' inability to afford housing had lagged effects on children's internalizing behaviors, and concurrent effects on externalizing behaviors. The present study points to the immediate and lasting impacts of housing hardship on children, and the potential to support healthy child development through increased access to affordable housing.