Cumulative Risk Over the Early Life Course and its Relation to Academic Achievement in Childhood and Early Adolescence

This research summary was developed by Pathways to Education.

HERE’S HOW THE AUTHORS DESCRIBE THIS RESEARCH SUMMARY:

Exposure to risk factors such as poverty, maltreatment, and illness, early in life, has been shown to have a negative impact on the academic achievement of children and adolescents. This study uses data on over 1,000 children in Reykjavik, Iceland to examine the link between early exposure to risk factors and subsequent academic achievement.

The authors found that academic achievement declines in relation to the number of risk factors experienced early in life. The findings and methodology from this study are useful to education and youth development researchers. The results demonstrate the importance of early detection of risk for children who are likely to experience cumulative risk factors and providing them with appropriate supports.

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