The intergenerational continuity of socioeconomic status: Effects of parenting, personality, and age at first romantic partnership.

Abstract

Research indicates that socioeconomic status (SES) is related to individual health and wellbeing, and may be transmitted across generations. The interactionist model proposes that circumstances in the family of origin and individual characteristics both account for social, economic, and developmental outcomes associated with SES. Thus, the present investigation evaluated continuities in SES across two generations (G1, G2) as mediated through G1 maternal positive parenting, G2 personality, and G2 age of first committed romantic partnership. Participants were 432 emerging adults from an ongoing longitudinal study. Consistent with the interactionist model, G1 SES was associated with G2 personality indirectly through G1 maternal positive parenting. G1 SES, G2 personality, and G2 first partnership directly predicted G2 SES. G1 maternal positive parenting was also indirectly associated with G2 age at first partnership through G2 personality. Findings were consistent across two broad personality domains – negative emotionality and constraint. However, positive emotionality was not associated with G2 age at partnership.