Movement Mediates the Relationship Between Socioeconomic Position and Socioemotional Outcomes in Youth.

Background: Youth from lower socioeconomic positions tend to have poorer socioemotional outcomes, be less physically active, have poorer sleep, and engage in more screen time than their peers from higher socioeconomic positions. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that movement behaviors (ie, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep) and changes in combinations of movement behaviors over time (movement trajectories) mediate the relationship between socioeconomic position and socioemotional outcomes in youth.

Methods: This study used socioeconomic position data, scores from Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires, and time-use diaries from 980 females and 1014 males (2% Australian Indigenous) aged 10-14 from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children from 2014 to 2018.

Results: Movement trajectories did not mediate the relationship between socioeconomic position and socioemotional outcomes. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-based mediation analyses found males from lower socioeconomic positions participated in less moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity than their peers from high socioeconomic positions, partially explaining (7%) more peer problems. Youth from lower socioeconomic positions participated in more recreational screen activities than their peers from higher socioeconomic positions, partially explaining (1%-3%) worse total socioemotional outcomes and conduct (females) and emotional problems (males).

Conclusions: Future qualitative research should be considered to identify the best ways for youth from lower socioeconomic positions to decrease screen time and increase opportunities to participate in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity in the community, at school, and at home. Other mediators explaining differences in socioemotional outcomes should be explored.