Towards a better understanding of inequity and the psychological processes underlying the intergenerational transmission of socioeconomic status

Bibliographic Data

ID4593616
AuthorsRik Otten (0000-0002-9763-5875, Radboud University Nijmegen), Thao Ha (0000-0003-1498-7873, Arizona State University)
Year2024
Volume360
Pages117330
Publication date2024-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Science & Medicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0277-9536 • E-ISSN: 1873-5347
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117330
PMID39305735
OpenAlexW4402468391
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited47

As poverty in the U.S. is increasing and the income gap continues to rise, addressing disparities in socioeconomic status (SES) has become a national priority. This study employs the Interactionist Model, a well-established theoretical framework for examining the intergenerational transmission of SES. Specifically, using longitudinal data from a sample of 998 adolescents, 47.2% of whom are females, from diverse ethnic backgrounds, we investigated how parents' SES influences both their material and immaterial resources, and subsequently affects their offspring's SES through inhibitory control during adolescence. Our findings support an indirect effect wherein parental SES influences the SES of the next generation via parental material and immaterial investments. Additionally, we demonstrate that immaterial investments influence the next generation's SES, mediated by inhibitory control. The implications of these findings are further discussed

Demographic economics · Economics · Population · Socioeconomic status · Sociology · Demography · Employment and Welfare Studies · Intergenerational and Educational Inequality Studies · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access