Household energy poverty and trajectories of emotional and behavioural difficulties in children and adolescents: findings from two prospective cohort studies

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the association between household energy poverty (EP) and trajectories of emotional and behavioural difficulties during childhood.

Methods: The Growing up in Ireland study is two nationally representative prospective cohorts of children. The Infant Cohort (n = 11,134) were recruited at age 9 months (9 m) and followed up at 3, 5, 7 and 9 years (y). The Child Cohort (n = 8,538) were recruited at age 9 y and followed up at 13 y and 17/18 y. EP was a composite of two relative measures of EP. Emotional and behavioural difficulties were repeatedly measured using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Linear spline multilevel models were used, adjusted for confounders to examine the association between (1) EP (9 m or 3 y) and trajectories of emotional and behavioural difficulties from 3 to 9 y in the Infant Cohort and (2) EP at 9 y and the same trajectories from 9 to 18 y in the Child Cohort.

Results: In adjusted analyses, EP at 9 m or 3 y of age was associated with higher total difficulties score at 3 y (0.66, 95% CI 0.41, 0.91) and 5 y (0.77, 95% CI 0.48, 1.05) but not at 7 y or 9 y. EP at 9 y was associated with higher total difficulties score at 9 y (1.73, 95% CI 1.28, 2.18), with this difference reducing over time leading to 0.68 (95% CI 0.19, 1.17) at 17/18 y.

Conclusions: Our study demonstrates a potential association between early life EP and emotional and behavioural difficulties that may be transient and attenuate over time during childhood. Further studies are required to replicate these findings and to better understand if these associations are causal.

Keywords: Adolescent; Children; Energy poverty; Poverty; Psychopathology.

Fig. 1

Trajectories of (a) total difficulties score, (b) externalising difficulties score, and (c) internalising difficulties score from 3 to 9 years by energy poverty (EP) exposure prior to 3 years, from adjusted analysis (primary care giver age, primary care giver education, household composition, household income, home ownership, primary care giver chronic health status and depression status) using the Irish Growing Up in Ireland—Infant Cohort

Fig. 2

Trajectories of (a) total difficulties score, (b) externalising difficulties score, and (c) internalising difficulties score from 9 years to 17/18 years by energy poverty (EP) exposure at 9 years, from adjusted analysis (primary care giver age, primary care giver education, household composition, household income, home ownership, primary care giver chronic health status and depression status) using the Irish Growing Up in Ireland—Child Cohort