Published in:
01-02-2013 | Original Article
Residential mobility and behavioural problems in children: results from the GINIplus and LISAplus studies
Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 1/2013
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Aim
Residential mobility during childhood has been associated with several adverse health outcomes. The present study investigates the influence of residential mobility during childhood measured by the frequency of moves, the child’s age at the time of the move and the total distance moved on the development of behavioural problems in school-age children.
Subject and methods
Data (N = 2,933) of two German population-based, prospective birth-cohort studies were used. Measurement of children’s residential mobility is based on the addresses at birth, 2, 6 and 10 years, which were collected by questionnaires and subsequently geocoded. Behavioural outcomes were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire applied at 10-year follow-up. Multiple logistic regression analyses controlling for sex and age of the child, study centre, parental educational level, mother’s age at birth, single parent status and child’s time spent in front of a screen were applied.
Results
Children with two or more relocations—odds ratio (OR) = 1.95, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.23–3.11—who moved at school age (OR = 1.97, CI = 1.17–3.31) or who moved more than 50 km in total (OR = 1.76, CI = 1.03–3.00) showed a significantly increased risk for the development of behavioural problems measured by the Total Difficulties Score compared to children who have never moved. Moving during early childhood and moving only short distance (less than 10 km in total) were not associated with behavioural problems.
Conclusion
Increased residential mobility during childhood and especially moves at school age may negatively affect children’s later behaviour. Prevention may consist in parental or teacher’s support of children to cope with moving.