The Effects of Family Income and Parents’ Educational Status on Child Health Status: Examining the Mediation Effects of Material Deprivation and Parents’ Health

Abstract

Using the Chinese Family Panel Studies database in the wave of 2012, 2014, and 2016 with a sample of 25,663 children from 0 to 15 years old, this article examines the direct and indirect effects of family income and parents’ educational status on child health outcome. Two mediators include material living conditions and parents’ health. The results show that material living conditions and parents’ health have the greatest influences on children’s health, and parents’ education and family income are the secondary importance. Parents’ education has significant effects on child health through parents’ health and living conditions.

Keywords

child health material deprivation parents’ educational status family income

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