Capturing Environmental Dimensions of Adversity and Resources in the Context of Poverty Across Infancy Through Early Adolescence: A Moderated Nonlinear Factor Model.

Abstract

Income, education, and cumulative-risk indices likely obscure meaningful heterogeneity in the mechanisms through which poverty impacts child outcomes. This study draws from contemporary theory to specify multiple dimensions of poverty-related adversity and resources, with the aim of better capturing these nuances. Using data from the Family Life Project (N = 1,292), we leveraged moderated nonlinear factor analysis (Bauer, 2017) to establish group- and longitudinally invariant environmental measures from infancy to early adolescence. Results indicated three latent factors—material deprivation, psychosocial threat, and sociocognitive resources—were distinct from each other and from family income. Each was largely invariant across site, racial group, and development and showed convergent and discriminant relations with age-twelve criterion measures. Implications for ensuring socioculturally valid measurements of poverty are discussed.

Density plots for MNLFA-derived scores. Red distributions represent families that fall at or below an income-to-needs ratio of 1 (i.e., 100% of the federal poverty threshold) and blue represent those above 1. Overlap between low- and higher-income groups high- lights what it lost when grouping families by income cutoffs. MNLFA = moderated nonlinear factor analysis; ES = Economic Strain Questionnaire; HOME = Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment; CTS = Conflict Tactics Scale.

My first first-authored paper is out in #ChildDevelopment! We draw from contemporary theory & recent advances in latent variable modeling to develop more nuanced representations of the constraints & supports experienced by low-income children. A 🧵... https://t.co/5jFFqnIZuu

— Meriah DeJoseph (@meriahdejoseph) January 10, 2021