Childhood socioeconomic status and current self-esteem among parents raising children

Abstract Background Children from low socioeconomic status (SES) households are more likely to have lower self-esteem, and parents with higher self-esteem are more likely to engage in favorable parenting practices. Therefore, parental self-esteem plays a critical role in child development. This study examined the association between childhood SES and current self-esteem among parents raising preschool-aged children. Methods An online survey was conducted in September 2023 with 1,200 parents of children aged 3-6 years. Childhood SES was assessed using a five-point scale and categorized into three groups (low, middle, high). Current self-esteem was measured using the Japanese version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES-J). Multiple regression analyses were conducted: Model 1 adjusted for gender and age; Model 2 additionally adjusted for current SES (living conditions, education, employment); and Model 3 further adjusted for depressive symptoms using the K6 scale. Results Of the participants, 21.0% were classified as having low childhood SES. The mean RSES-J scores were 24.0 (SD = 5.6), 25.4 (SD = 4.8), and 26.7 (SD = 5.6) for the low, middle, and high childhood SES groups, respectively. In Model 1, both the low and middle SES groups had significantly lower self-esteem than the high SES group (β = -0.208, p < 0.001; β = -0.134, p < 0.001). In Model 2, only the low SES group remained significant (β = -0.121, p < 0.001). In Model 3, both the low and middle groups remained statistically significant (β = -0.081, p = 0.005; β = -0.061, p = 0.038). Conclusions Childhood SES was significantly associated with current self-esteem among parents, even after adjusting for adult SES and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that the intergenerational transmission of poverty may lead to lower self-esteem in both children and their parents. Addressing childhood poverty and strengthening protective factors such as social support are essential to breaking the cycle of disadvantage. Key messages • Self-esteem scores were higher among fathers than mothers, and were consistently higher among those with higher SES levels in both childhood and adulthood. • The results highlight that early socioeconomic disadvantage can have enduring effects on adult self-esteem, stressing the importance of early intervention.