Does Supplemental Security Income Moderate the Association between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Externalizing Problems?

Abstract

The current study investigates whether receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) would buffer against externalizing problems in adolescents in low-income families with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Data were derived from the 2022 National Survey of Children's Health. The study participants were 19,048 parents or caregivers of adolescents aged 12 to 17. Variables included ACEs, externalizing problems, receiving SSI, child age, child race/ethnicity, child sex, caregiver age, caregiver employment status, and caregiver marital status. Analyses consisted of univariate analyses and a two-step hierarchical multiple regression. ACEs were positively associated with externalizing problems. Receiving SSI was also positively associated with externalizing problems. However, receiving SSI moderated the association between ACEs and externalizing problems. The findings suggest that expanding access to SSI could promote resilience and highlight the importance of linking children of low family income with financial resources.