Parent–Child Closeness and Child Behavior: The Strengths of Lower‐Socioeconomic Status Family Life

ABSTRACT Objective This study investigates how parent–child closeness is linked with children's outcomes and whether the association is moderated by family socioeconomic status (SES). Background Much of the prior research on parenting and child wellbeing centers around “investments” that parents make in children, including intensive educational and engagement activities. These investments differ by parental SES, with higher economic status enabling parents to invest more resources in their children's development. Yet, close parent–child relationships are another key aspect of family life which are beneficial for youth outcomes and may have less variation by SES. Method We use data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study ( n = 1563) to investigate the association between parent–child closeness, child activities, and youth behavioral problems at ages 9 and 15. We test how these associations differ by family SES and we consider the association between child activities and parent–child closeness. Results We find a significant association between parent–child closeness and youth behavioral problems at Years 9 and 15, net of covariates and child activities. We also find some evidence that the association is stronger among low‐income youth, particularly, at age 9. Conclusion These findings suggest that parent–child closeness may be an especially important source of support for youth in lower‐income families, where access to resource‐intensive activities and other forms of parental investment is more limited. Implications Future research on family dynamics and child wellbeing should take parent–child closeness into account and should explore the role of SES in shaping family dynamics.