Longitudinal Evidence on Housing Quality in Adolescence and Memory Performance in Adulthood: Exploring Socioeconomic Factors as Mechanisms

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between housing quality during adolescence and memory performance in adulthood and how socioeconomic factors mediate the association. This study used a sample of 14,327 participants from Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. A longitudinal regression model, incorporating a comprehensive set of covariates, was employed. Housing quality during adolescence was positively associated with verbal memory performance, but not with working memory performance in adulthood. These associations were independent of individual and contextual covariates, including markers of family socioeconomic status in adolescence. Satisfactory housing quality was linked to higher educational attainment and personal earnings. Educational attainment significantly mediated the association between housing quality and verbal memory performance, accounting for 48% of the association, while personal earnings had only a marginal mediating effect. Integrated policy interventions targeting housing conditions and academic support during adolescence could benefit memory performance in adulthood.

Keywords

housing quality life course memory performance cognitive function education earnings

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