Objective

To examine the association between lifecourse factors and flourishing among children ages 1-5 years.

Study design

Using data from the combined 2016 and 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health (N=18,007 children aged 1-5 years), flourishing was defined as parent-reported child’s affection, resilience, curiosity about learning, and affect. Multivariable logistic regression modeled the associations between lifecourse factors and flourishing. These factors were identified according to the lifecourse health development model.

Results

Approximately 63% of children aged 1-5 years were flourishing. Children who were female (vs. male, adjusted prevalence ratio, APR: 1.06, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.00-1.11), White, non-Hispanic (vs. Black, non-Hispanic, APR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01-1.26), not having a special health care need (vs. special health care need, APR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03-1.26), not having an emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder (EBD) (vs. EBD, APR: 1.66, 95% CI:1.23-2.10), spoke English at home (vs. other language, APR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.06-1.54), parents received emotional social support (vs. no emotional social support, APR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.21), and who lived in a supportive neighborhood (vs. not in supportive neighborhood, APR: 1.12, 95% CI:1.05-1.18) were more likely to flourish. Children from households within 0-99% of the federal poverty level (APR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.79-0.98) were less likely to be flourishing compared to their counterparts from households within 400% of the federal poverty level.

Conclusions

Findings indicate that several lifecourse factors are associated with young children’s flourishing, including being female, White, non-Hispanic, not having a special health care need or EBD, English as a primary language, parents receiving emotional social support, having neighborhood support, and a lower household income. Our findings promote the continuation of programs supporting diverse and low-income children’s families and communities such as home visiting and Head Start which provide avenues for bolstering children’s health and development across the lifespan.