Experiencing Life Events and Childhood Subjective Wellbeing: A Longitudinal Analysis of Growing Up in Scotland

The findings of this report are not valid due to an error in the analysis. If you require further information, please email the Growing Up in Scotland mailbox at: GUS@gov.scot.


Results

Changes in subjective wellbeing

This analysis sought to explore the relationship between three key life events and changes in children's subjective wellbeing, to establish whether parental separation, bereavement and the experience of a family accident or illness causes any observable change in wellbeing.

Table 9.1 shows the changes observed in life satisfaction by changes in family type across the four sweeps. The majority of participants did not experience either a change in family type or a change in life satisfaction over time. Of those who experienced parental separation, 15% experienced an improvement in life satisfaction whereas 38.7% experienced a deterioration. Almost half (46%) did not experience a change in life satisfaction.

Table 9.1 – Change in Life Satisfaction by Change in Family Type
Family type change Life satisfaction change Total
Deteriorates Stays constant Improves
Becomes lone parent 106 (38.7%) 127 (46.4%) 41 (15%) 274 (100%)
No change in family type 788 (31%) 1344 (53%) 406 (16%) 2538 (100%)
Becomes couple 58 (37.9%) 71 (46.4%) 24 (15.7%) 153 (100%)
Total 952 (32.1%) 1542 (52%) 471 (15.9%) 2965 (100%)

Table 9.2 shows the changes in life satisfaction for those who experienced the loss of a grandparent and those who did not. For those who experienced the loss of a grandparent, the majority (52.1%) did not experience a change in life satisfaction. A small percentage (15.7%) had an improvement in life satisfaction whereas (32.2%) had a deterioration in life satisfaction.

Table 9.2 - Change in Life Satisfaction by Loss of a Grandparent
Loss of a grandparent Life satisfaction change Total
Deteriorates Stays constant Improves
No 449 (31%) 730 (51.9%) 228 (16.2%) 1407 (100%)
Yes 504 (32.2%) 816 (52.1%) 245 (15.7%) 1565 (100%)
Total 953 (32.1%) 1546 (52%) 473 (15.9%) 2972 (100%)

Table 9.3 shows the changes in life satisfaction for those who experienced the loss of a parent or sibling and those who did not. For those who experienced the loss of a parent or a sibling, 43.3% did not experience a change in life satisfaction, 22.2% experienced an improvement in life satisfaction and 34.4% experienced a deterioration in life satisfaction. These numbers should be treated with caution due to low base sizes.

Table 9.3 - Change in Life Satisfaction by Loss of a Parent or Sibling
Loss of a parent or sibling Life satisfaction change Total
Deteriorates Stays constant Improves
No 922 (32%) 1507 (52.3%) 453 (15.7%) 2882 (100%)
Yes 31 (34.4%) 39 (43.3%) 20 (22.2%) 90 (100%)
Total 953 (32.1%) 1546 (52%) 473 (15.9%) 2972 (100%)

Table 9.4 shows the changes in life satisfaction for those who experienced a family accident or illness and those who did not. 48.3% of those who did experience a family accident or illness experienced no change in life satisfaction, 16.4% experienced an improvement and 35.3% experienced a deterioration in life satisfaction.

Table 9.4 - Change in Life Satisfaction by Accident or Illness Within the Family
Accident or illness within the family Life satisfaction change Total
Deteriorates Stays constant Improves
No 742 (31.3%) 1257 (59.2%) 375 (15.8%) 2374 (100%)
Yes 211 (35.3%) 289 (48.3%) 98 (16.4%) 598 (100%)
Total 953 (32.1%) 1546 (52%) 473 (15.9%) 2972 (100%)

The tables shown below display the model output results, using changes in life satisfaction as the outcome. The reference category for the outcome was set to 'life satisfaction stays constant' to allow a deterioration and an improvement in the outcome to be compared to no change as the baseline.

The results shown in Table 10.1 indicate that becoming a lone parent family at some point across the four sweeps was statistically significantly associated with a deterioration in life satisfaction in comparison with life satisfaction remaining constant. Life satisfaction was also more likely to improve than to stay constant when experiencing parental separation however this result was not statistically significant. Compared with boys, girls were more likely to experience a deterioration in life satisfaction and less likely to experience an improvement in life satisfaction following parental separation.

Table 10.1 – MLR model – Parental Separation

Number of Observations = 2792

Life Satisfaction Change Coefficient Value Standard Error Confidence Interval (95%)
Deteriorates
Becomes lone parent family .318* .139 .046 .590
Household income £29k+ -.099 .093 -.281 .084
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .582* .647* .607* .151 .151 .162 .287 .352 .289 .878 .943 .925
2+ adults in household .116 .083 -.047 .278
Girl .414* .083 .251 .576
Remains constant (base outcome)
Improves
Becomes lone parent family .071 .185 -.293 .434
Household income £29k+ -.054 .119 -.288 .180
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .465* .323 .439* .180 .183 .196 .112 -.037 .055 .819 .634 .823
2+ adults in household .129 .106 -.080 .337
Girl -.318* .108 -.530 -.106

* indicates statistical significance (<0.05)

Table 10.2 shows the impact of both the loss of a grandparent and of a parent or sibling on the likelihood of experiencing changes in life satisfaction. Negative values can be seen for both deteriorating and improving life satisfaction for those who experienced the loss of a grandparent, indicating that those who experienced this life event were more likely to experience no change. For the loss of a parent or sibling, the model shows a statistically significant positive value for health improving indicating that life satisfaction was more likely to improve than to stay constant. However, the small sample size should be noted here. Experiencing the loss of a parent or sibling was also associated with health deteriorating compared with staying constant, however this was not statistically significant.

Table 10.2 – MLR model – Bereavement

Number of Observations = 2972

Life Satisfaction Change Coefficient Value Standard Error Confidence Interval (95%)
Deteriorates
Loss of a grandparent -.028 .085 -.195 .140
Loss of a parent or sibling .241 .254 -.257 .739
Household income £29k+ -.134 .070 -.324 .056
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .590* .662* .620* .160 .159 .172 .277 .349 .283 .903 .976 .957
2+ adults in household .118 .088 -.054 .291
Girl .415* .088 .242 .588
Remains constant (base outcome)
Improves
Loss of a grandparent -.051 .108 -.263 .160
Loss of a parent or sibling .572* .289 .006 1.14
Household income £29k+ -.043 .125 -.288 .203
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .473* .333 .443* .191 .195 .208 .097 -.049 .036 .848 .716 .851
2+ adults in household .128 .113 -.093 .349
Girl -.323* .115 -.584 -.098

* indicates statistical significance (<0.05)

Table 10.3 shows the results for the impact of experiencing a family accident or illness on changes in life satisfaction. Positive coefficient values for both deteriorating and improving indicate that those who experienced this life event at some point across the four sweeps were more likely to have either deteriorating or improving life satisfaction as opposed to it remaining the same, however neither result was statistically significant.

Table 10.3 – MLR model - Accident or Illness Within the Family

Number of Observations = 2972

Life Satisfaction Change Coefficient Value Standard Error Confidence Interval (95%)
Deteriorates
Family accident or illness .176 .110 -.040 .392
Household income £29k+ -.133 .101 -.332 .065
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .581* .653* .614* .167 .167 .180 .253 .325 .261 .910 .981 .967
2+ adults in household .113 .092 -.067 .294
Girl .414* .092 .234 .595
Remains constant (base outcome)
Improves
Family accident or illness .118 .141 -.157 .394
Household income £29k+ -.057 .131 -.106 .357
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .463* .321 .438* .200 .204 .218 .070 -.079 .012 .856 .722 .865
2+ adults in household .125 .118 -.106 .357
Girl -.319* .120 -.555 -.083

* indicates statistical significance (<0.05)

Across all the models measuring changes in subjective wellbeing, the results indicated that, compared with boys, girls were more likely to experience a deterioration in life satisfaction and less likely to experience an improvement in comparison to life satisfaction remaining constant. This result was consistent across the subjective wellbeing models and was statistically significant.

Changes in BMI

Table 11.1 shows the changes in BMI variable by changes in family type across the four sweeps. Of those who experienced parental separation, 51 participants (17.4%) experienced becoming overweight or obese whereas only 8 participants (2.7%) experienced a becoming underweight. These findings should be treated with caution due to small base sizes.

Table 11.1 – Change in BMI by Change in Family Type
Family type change BMI change Total
Becomes underweight Stays constant Becomes overweight/obese
Becomes lone parent 8 (2.7%) 234 (79.9%) 51 (17.4%) 293 (100%)
No change in family type 73 (2.7%) 2211 (82%) 412 (15.3%) 2696 (100%)
Becomes couple 2 (1.3%) 134 (84.3%) 23 (14.5%) 159 (100%)
Total 83 (2.6%) 2579 (81.9%) 486 (15.4%) 3148 (100%)

Table 11.2 shows the changes in BMI for those who experienced the loss of a grandparent and those who did not. For those who did experience the loss of a grandparent, the majority (83%) did not experience a change in BMI, 14.1% became overweight or obese and 2.9% became underweight.

Table 11.2 – Change in BMI by Loss of a Grandparent
Loss of a grandparent BMI change Total
Becomes underweight Stays constant Becomes overweight/obese
No 33 (2%) 1391 (83.2%) 248 (14.8%) 1672 (100%)
Yes 50 (2.9%) 1417 (83%) 241 (14.1%) 1708 (100%)
Total 83 (2.5%) 2808 (83.1%) 489 (14.5%) 3380 (100%)

Table 11.3 shows the changes in BMI for those who experienced the loss of a parent or sibling and those who did not. The majority of those who experienced the loss of a parent or a sibling (82%) did not experience a change in BMI, 16% became overweight or obese and only 2% of the participants who lost a parent or sibling became underweight.

Table 11.3 - Change in BMI by Loss of a Parent or Sibling
Loss of a parent or sibling BMI change Total
Becomes underweight Stays constant Becomes overweight/obese
No 81 (2.5%) 2726 (83.1%) 473 (14.4%) 3280 (100%)
Yes 2 (2%) 82 (82%) 16 (16%) 100 (100%)
Total 83 (2.5%) 2808 (83.1%) 489 (14.5%) 3380 (100%)

Table 11.4 shows the changes in BMI for those who experienced a family accident or illness and those who did not. Most (82.1%) of those who experienced a family accident or illness experienced no change in BMI, 16.3% became overweight or obese while only 10 participants (1.6%) who experienced this life event became underweight.

Table 11.4 – Change in BMI by Accident or Illness Within the Family
Accident or illness within the family BMI change Total
Becomes underweight Stays constant Becomes overweight/obese
No 73 (2.7%) 2289 (83.3%) 386 (14%) 2748 (100%)
Yes 10 (1.6%) 519 (82.1%) 103 (16.3%) 632 (100%)
Total 83 (2.5%) 2808 (83.1%) 489 (14.5%) 3380 (100%)

The results in table 12.1 show positive coefficient values for becoming a lone parent family for becoming both underweight and overweight. This indicates that BMI was more likely to change in either direction, to become either overweight/obese or underweight, than it was to remain constant following parental separation. Neither result was statistically significant therefore no conclusions can be drawn from this regarding the influence of parental separation on changes in BMI.

Table 12.1 – MLR model – Change in Family Type

Number of Observations = 3148

BMI Change Coefficient Value Standard Error Confidence Interval (95%)
Becomes Underweight
Becomes lone parent family .113 .366 -.604 .830
Household income £29k+ .191 .262 -.324 .705
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .012 -.132 -.099 .365 .382 .417 -.704 -.881 -.917 .728 .617 .719
2+ adults in household .169 .230 -.281 .620
Girl -.118 .228 -.565 .330
Remains constant (base outcome)
Becomes Overweight
Becomes lone parent family .121 .158 -.189 .431
Household income £29k+ -.019 .113 -.242 .203
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .019 .210 .067 .162 .163 .181 -.300 -.109 -.287 .337 .592 .421
2+ adults in household .198* .103 -.003 .400
Girl -.082 .101 -.280 .116

* indicates statistical significance (<0.05)

Table 12.2 shows the model results for changes in BMI for those who experienced bereavement. No statistically significant results were observed for changes in BMI for those who experienced the loss of any family member. The model results show that those who experienced the loss of a grandparent were more likely to become underweight and less likely to become overweight compared with experiencing no change in their BMI. Those who experienced the loss of a parent or sibling were less likely to become underweight and more likely to become overweight compared with their BMI staying the same, however these results were not significant.

Number of observations = 3380

Table 12.2 – MLR model – Bereavement
BMI Change Coefficient Value Standard Error Confidence Interval (95%)
Becomes Underweight
Loss of a grandparent .335 .248 -.132 .842
Loss of a parent or sibling -.158 .787 -1.70 1.14
Household income £29k+ .174 .297 -.409 .757
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .297 .133 .168 .426 .445 .486 -.539 -.740 -.785 1.13 1.01 1.12
2+ adults in household .158 .267 -.366 .681
Girl -.105 .265 -.625 .415
Remains constant (base outcome)
Becomes Overweight
Loss of a grandparent -.105 .107 -.316 .105
Loss of a parent or sibling .120 .303 -.475 .714
Household income £29k+ -.030 .128 -.281 .222
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .339 .524* .411* .188 .188 .208 -.029 .155 .004 .707 .893 .818
2+ adults in household .231* .199 -.002 .463
Girl -.070 .177 -.300 .159

* indicates statistical significance (<0.05)

The model results shown in table 12.3 indicate that those who experienced a family accident or illness at some point across the four sweeps were less likely to become underweight and more likely to become overweight than for their BMI to remain constant. However, the results observed were not statistically significant, therefore no conclusions can be drawn from these results regarding the influence of experiencing a family accident or illness on changes in BMI.

Number of Observations = 3380

Table 12.3 – MLR model – Accident or Illness Within the Family
BMI Change Coefficient Value Standard Error Confidence Interval (95%)
Becomes Underweight
Family accident or illness -.540 .350 -1.23 .146
Household income £29k+ .157 .282 -.395 .710
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .383 .219 .261 .409 .422 .458 -.409 -.609 -.637 1.18 1.05 1.16
2+ adults in household .173 .253 -.324 .699
Girl -.083 .251 -.575 .409
Remains constant (base outcome)
Becomes Overweight
Family accident or illness .108 .125 -.138 .353
Household income £29k+ -.029 .121 .007 .447
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .315 .500* .385* .178 .178 .196 -.033 .152 .001 .663 .848 .796
2+ adults in household .227* .122 .007 .447
Girl -.073 .111 -.138 .353

* indicates statistical significance (<0.05)

Changes in physical health

Table 13.1 shows the changes in physical health by changes in family type across the four sweeps. The majority of participants did not experience either a change in family type or a change in physical health over time. Of those who experienced parental separation, 10% experienced an improvement in life satisfaction whereas 22.6% experienced a deterioration.

Table 13.1 – Change in Physical Health by Change in Family Type
Family type change Physical health change Total
Physical health deteriorates Stays constant Physical health improves
Becomes lone parent 72 (22.6%) 215 (67.4%) 32 (10%) 319 (100%)
No change in family type 610 (19.9%) 2161 (70.6%) 292 (9.5%) 3063 (100%)
Becomes couple 40 (22.9%) 120 (68.6%) 15 (8.6%) 175 (100%)
Total 722 (20.3%) 2496 (70.2%) 339 (9.5%) 3557 (100%)

Table 13.2 shows the changes in physical health for those who experienced the loss of a grandparent and those who did not. For those who experienced the loss of a grandparent, the majority (70.5%) did not experience a change in physical health. A small percentage (9.8%) had an improvement in physical health whereas (19.7%) had a deterioration.

Table 13.2 – Change in Physical Health by Loss of a Grandparent
Loss of a grandparent Physical health change Total
Physical health deteriorates Stays constant Physical health improves
No 400 (18.8%) 1560 (73.2%) 172 (8.1%) 2132 (100%)
Yes 381 (19.7%) 1363 (70.5%) 190 (9.8%) 1937 (100%)
Total 781 (19.2%) 2923 (71.9%) 362 (8.9%) 4066 (100%)

Table 13.3 shows the changes in physical health for those who experienced the loss of a parent or sibling and those who did not. For those who experienced this life event, the majority (70.5%) did not experience a change in physical health. A small percentage (9.3%) had an improvement in physical health whereas (19.2%) had a deterioration.

Table 13.3 – Change in Physical Health by Loss of a Parent or Sibling
Loss of a parent or sibling Physical health change Total
Physical health deteriorates Stays constant Physical health improves
No 755 (19.2%) 2832 (71.9%) 350 (8.9%) 3937 (100%)
Yes 26 (20.2%) 91 (70.5%) 12 (9.3%) 129 (100%)
Total 781 (19.2%) 2923 (71.9%) 362 (8.9%) 4066 (100%)

Table 13.4 shows the changes in physical health for those who experienced a family accident or illness and those who did not. 62.7% of those who did experience a family accident or illness experienced no change in physical health, 13.7% experienced an improvement and 23.6% experienced a deterioration in physical health.

Table 13.4 – Change in Physical Health by Accident or Illness Within the Family
Accident or illness within the family Physical health change Total
Physical health deteriorates Stays constant Physical health improves
No 612 (18.3%) 2474 (73.9%) 264 (7.9%) 3350 (100%)
Yes 169 (23.6%) 449 (62.7%) 98 (13.7%) 716 (100%)
Total 781 (19.2%) 2923 (71.9%) 362 (8.9%) 4066 (100%)

Table 14.1 shows the model results for changes in physical health for those who experienced parental separation. Physical health was more likely to deteriorate or to improve than to stay constant over time for those who experienced parental separation, however these findings were not statistically significant.

Number of Observations = 3557

Table 14.1 – MLR model – Change in Family Type
Physical Health Condition Change Coefficient Value Standard Error Confidence Interval (95%)
Deteriorates
Becomes lone parent family .062 .161 -.253 .378
Household income £29k+ -.257* .120 -.244 .165
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .488* .565 .708* .162 .161 .172 .170 .249 .370 .806 .881 1.05
2+ adults in household -.029 .099 -.244 .165
Girl .183* .098 -.009 .376
Remains constant (base outcome)
Improves
Becomes lone parent family .015 .222 -.421 .451
Household income £29k+ -.288 .156 -.594 .018
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .123 -.189 .081 .206 .217 .227 -.281 -.631 -.367 .528 .263 .529
2+ adults in household .338* .141 .062 .614
Girl -.291* .141 -.594 .018

* indicates statistical significance (<0.05)

The results displayed in table 14.2 indicate that experiencing the loss of a grandparent as well as of a parent or sibling were negatively associated with physical health deteriorating as opposed to remaining constant across the four sweeps. Experiencing the loss of a grandparent as well as of a parent or sibling were positively associated with physical health improving as opposed to remaining constant. These results were not statistically significant and were based on a small number of observations, reducing their reliability and generalisability.

Number of Observations = 4066

Table 14.2 – MLR model – Bereavement
Physical Health Condition Change Coefficient Value Standard Error Confidence Interval (95%)
Deteriorates
Loss of a grandparent -.009 .084 -.174 .156
Loss of a parent or sibling -.007 .234 -.466 .452
Household income £29k+ -.263* .101 -.461 -.064
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .609* .689* .833* .142 .141 .151 .330 .413 .536 .887 .965 1.13
2+ adults in household -.002 .092 -.182 .179
Girl .187* .092 .007 .368
Remains constant (base outcome)
Improves
Loss of a grandparent .210 .116 -.018 .438
Loss of a parent or sibling .029 .321 -.601 .659
Household income £29k+ .285* .145 -.596 .000
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .351 .027 .279 .189 .199 .211 -.021 -.363 -.134 .722 .417 .692
2+ adults in household .358* .133 .098 .618
Girl -.272* .133 -.532 -.011

* indicates statistical significance (<0.05)

Table 14.3 shows the model results for the likelihood of experiencing a change in physical health for those who experienced a family accident or illness. Statistically significant positive coefficient values indicate that those who experienced an accident or illness within the family were more likely to have a change, either an improvement or a deterioration, in physical health compared with their physical health staying the same over time.

Number of Observations = 4066

Table 14.3 – MLR model – Accident or Illness Within the Family
Physical Health Condition Change Coefficient Value Standard Error Confidence Interval (95%)
Deteriorates
Family accident or illness .337* .116 .110 .564
Household income £29k+ -.250 .113 -.471 -.030
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .581* .662* .806* .157 .156 .168 .272 .355 .477 .890 .968 1.14
2+ adults in household -.013 .106 -.214 .188
Girl .181 .102 -.020 .381
Remains constant (base outcome)
Improves
Family accident or illness .681* .148 .391 .971
Household income £29k+ -.248 .161 -.564 .069
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .322 .000 .261 .210 .222 .234 -.090 -.435 -.198 .735 .434 .719
2+ adults in household .335* .148 .045 .625
Girl -.281* .148 -.570 .009

* indicates statistical significance (<0.05)

Overall, having two or more adults present in the household was consistently positively associated with physical health improving compared to remaining constant. Additionally, health was more likely to deteriorate rather than stay the same for girls compared with boys and less likely to improve over time. These results were statistically significant across the models.

Changes in mental health

Table 15.1 shows the changes observed in mental health by changes in family type across the four sweeps. The majority of participants (80.8%) did not experience either a change in family type or a change in SDQ score. Of those who experienced parental separation, 16.8% experienced an increase in SDQ score whereas 14.1% experienced a decrease.

Table 15.1 – Change in Mental Health by Change in Family Type
Family type change SDQ score change Total
SDQ score decreases Stays constant SDQ score increases
Becomes lone parent 43 (14.1%) 210 (69.1%) 51 (16.8%) 304 (100%)
No change in family type 257 (9.1%) 2290 (80.8%) 287 (10.1%) 2834 (100%)
Becomes couple 17 (10.4%) 123 (75.5%) 23 (14.1%) 163 (100%)
Total 317 (9.6%) 2623 (79.5%) 361 (10.9%) 3301 (100%)

Table 15.2 shows the changes in mental health for those who experienced the loss of a grandparent and those who did not. For those who experienced the loss of a grandparent, the majority (78.9%) did not experience a change in SDQ score. Of those who were bereaved of a grandparent, 11.1% experienced an increase and 10% experienced a decrease in SDQ score.

Table 15.2 – Change in Mental Health by Loss of a Grandparent
Loss of a grandparent SDQ score change Total
SDQ score decreases Stays constant SDQ score increases
No 148 (9.2%) 1282 (80%) 173 (10.8%) 1603 (100%)
Yes 171 (10%) 1345 (78.9%) 189 (11.1%) 1705 (100%)
Total 319 (9.6%) 2627 (79.4%) 362 (10.9%) 3308 (100%)

Table 15.3 shows the changes observed in mental health for those who experienced the loss of a parent or sibling at some point across the four sweeps. For those who experienced this life event, the majority (67.6%) did not experience a change in SDQ score. Of those who did lose a parent or sibling, 13.3% experienced an increase and 19% of participants experienced a decrease in SDQ score.

Table 15.3 – Change in Mental Health by Loss of a Parent or Sibling
Loss of a parent or sibling SDQ score change Total
SDQ score decreases Stays constant SDQ score increases
No 229 (9.3%) 2556 (79.8%) 348 (10.9%) 3203 (100%)
Yes 20 (19%) 71 (67.6%) 14 (13.3%) 105 (100%)
Total 319 (9.6%) 2627 (79.4%) 362 (10.9%) 3308 (100%)

Table 15.4 shows the changes observed in mental health separately for those who experienced an accident or illness within the family at some point across the four sweeps and those who did not. Of those who did experience this life event, most did not experience a change in SDQ score (73.3%), whereas 13.8% experienced an increase and 13% of participants experienced a decrease in SDQ score.

Table 15.4 – Change in Mental Health by Accident or Illness Within the Family
Accident or illness within the family SDQ score change Total
SDQ score decreases Stays constant SDQ score increases
No 235 (8.8%) 2153 (80.9%) 273 (10.3%) 2661 (100%)
Yes 84 (13%) 474 (73.3%) 89 (13.8%) 647 (100%)
Total 319 (9.6%) 2627 (79.4%) 362 (10.9%) 3308 (100%)

Table 16.1 shows the model results for changes in mental health for those who experienced parental separation. The results indicate that those who experienced parental separation were more likely to experience a deterioration in mental health compared with no change over time. However, those who experienced parental separation were also more likely to experience an improvement in mental health compared with experiencing no change in mental health. Both results were statistically significant, indicating that those experiencing this life event were more likely to experience a change in either direction.

Number of Observations = 3308

Table 16.1 – MLR model – Change in Family Type
SDQ Score Change Coefficient Value Standard Error Confidence Interval (95%)
Deteriorates
Becomes lone parent .333* .199 -.058 .725
Household income £29k+ -.536* .159 -.848 -.233
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade -.128 .182 .606* .222 .217 .219 -.242 -.563 .176 .607 .307 1.04
2+ adults in household .035 .141 -.241 .311
Girl .270* .140 -.066 .541
Remains constant (base outcome)
Improves
Becomes lone parent .454* .187 .087 .821
Household income £29k+ -.421* .145 -.705 -.137
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .540* .830* 1.05* .219 .216 .225 .110 .406 .604 .969 1.25 1.49
2+ adults in household .052 .131 -.205 .308
Girl -.262* .132 -.521 -.004

* indicates statistical significance (<0.05)

Table 16.2 shows the model results for changes in mental health for those who experienced bereavement at some point across the four sweeps. The results indicate that those who experienced the loss of a grandparent or of a parent or sibling were more likely to experience either a deterioration or an improvement in mental health compared with mental health remaining the same across the four waves. However, the only statistically significant result was for those who lost a parent or sibling being more likely to experience a deterioration in mental health.

Number of Observations = 3308

Table 16.2 – MLR model – Bereavement
SDQ Score Change Coefficient Value Standard Error Confidence Interval (95%)
Deteriorates
Loss of a grandparent .086 .127 -.163 .335
Loss of a parent or sibling .682* .279 .135 1.23
Household income £29k+ -.559* .153 -.859 -.260
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade -.118 .202 .609* .216 .211 .214 -.541 -.211 .190 .306 .615 1.03
2+ adults in household .034 .137 -.234 .303
Girl .260* .137 -.009 .529
Remains constant (base outcome)
Improves
Loss of a grandparent .007 .120 -.227 .242
Loss of a parent or sibling .280 .317 -.342 .902
Household income £29k+ -.478* .138 -.749 -.207
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .558* .859* 1.07* .213 .210 .219 .140 .447 .639 .976 1.27 1.49
2+ adults in household .058 .128 -.192 .308
Girl -.258* .128 -.509 -.006

* indicates statistical significance (<0.05)

Table 16.3 shows the model results for changes in mental health for those who experienced an accident or illness within the family at some point across the four sweeps. The results indicate that those who experienced this life event were statistically significantly more likely to experience either a deterioration or an improvement in mental health compared with mental health remaining the same across the four waves.

Number of Observations = 3308

Table 16.3 – MLR model – Accident or Illness Within the Family
SDQ Score Change Coefficient Value Standard Error Confidence Interval (95%)
Deteriorates
Family accident or illness .448* .156 .143 .754
Household income £29k+ -.565* .163 -.884 -.246
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade -.140 .180 .604* .231 .225 .228 -.593 -.262 .157 .312 .621 1.05
2+ adults in household .023 .147 -.264 .311
Girl .270* .146 .143 .754
Remains constant (base outcome)
Improves
Family accident or illness .348* .150 .053 .642
Household income £29k+ -.472* .147 -.761 -.183
Household education - degree - higher - standard grade .540* .841* 1.06* .231 .224 .234 .093 .401 .598 .986 1.28 1.51
2+ adults in household .045 .137 -.222 .313
Girl -.259* .137 -.527 .010

* indicates statistical significance (<0.05)

Across the models, those who had a household income of £29,000 per year and above were more likely to experience no change in their mental health as can be seen from the negative values for both mental health improving and deteriorating. Additionally, girls were more likely than boys to experience a deterioration in mental health and less likely to experience an improvement.

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