Impact of childhood health and household experiences on educational attainment: Analysis using administrative data

Evans, Annette ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8463-5251 2022. Impact of childhood health and household experiences on educational attainment: Analysis using administrative data. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Inequalities in health and educational attainment continue to be observed in UK school children. The aim of this thesis was to address gaps in our knowledge about health and social factors that may impact on education in childhood. This thesis investigated the effects of unplanned hospital admissions, severity of a chronic condition (asthma) and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on children’s educational attainment. A total population birth cohort of children born 1998-2005 in Wales was record-linked to administrative health and education data. Over 40,000 children were analysed using multilevel logistic regression and time-to-event analyses allowing adjustment for multiple socio-demographic, birth, neighbourhood, pupil mobility and school-level factors. This thesis found emergency inpatient hospital admission during childhood was associated with an increased risk for lower education attainment at Key Stage 1 (KS1; age 6-7 years), particularly in the pre-school period or for injuries or external causes. Children with an asthma (or wheeze) hospital admission rather than chronic asthma severity (or wheeze; using primary care prescriptions data) experienced increased risk of not attaining KS1. In addition, primary care consultations for lower respiratory tract infection were an independent predictor for children’s education failure. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were also associated with increased risk for not attaining KS1 and Key Stage 2 (age 10-11 years): living with household members with common mental disorder or an alcohol problem, childhood victimisation, death of a household member and low family income. These effects were substantially greater for children with multiple ACEs. Further, ACEs increased the risk for recurrent emergency hospital admission for asthma or all-causes in children. A first asthma or all-cause admission in childhood was not an important mediator between ACEs and KS1. This thesis provides new evidence about these risk factors on educational attainment, where intervention could help children achieve their academic potential.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Medicine
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	26 July 2022
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2022 11:40
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/151442

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