The Relationship Between Childhood Circumstances and Late Life Physical and Mental Health: The Role of Adult Socioeconomic Status

Abstract

Objectives: Socioeconomic status and health in childhood are linked to health outcomes in later life. Health outcomes may also be shaped by socioeconomic circumstances in adulthood and later life. This paper examined the relationship between childhood conditions and later life health and tested whether this relationship was mediated by later life economic living standards. Methods: Data from a longitudinal study of aging was combined with retrospective life history data from 787 participants from the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study. Results: Significant relationships were found between childhood conditions and later life health. These relationships were mediated by economic living standards in older age, but the partial direct effect of childhood conditions on health found in early older age became fully meditated 10 years later. Conclusion: While childhood circumstances are part of this complex relationship, socioeconomic conditions in later life are vital to ensuring ongoing health into older age.