[영문]Objective. Relatively little is known about the intergenerational mechanisms thatlead to social disparities in child health. We examined whether the associationbetween low socioeconomic status (SES) and child behavior problems is mediatedby maternal health conditions and behavior.Methods. Prospective cohort data (1979?1998) on 2,677 children and their motherswere obtained from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. SES, the ChildBehavior Problems Index (BPI), and maternal smoking, depressive symptoms, andalcohol use before, during, and after pregnancy were examined.Results. Lower income and lower maternal education were associated with increasedchild BPI scores. Adjustment for maternal smoking, depressive symptoms,and alcohol use attenuated the associations between SES and child BPI by 26% to49%. These maternal health conditions often occurred together, persisted overtime, and were associated with the mother’s own childhood SES and pre-pregnancyhealth.Conclusions. Social disparities in women’s health conditions may help shape thelikelihood of behavior problems in the subsequent generation. Improved publichealth programs and services for disadvantaged women across the lifecourse maynot only address their own urgent health needs, but reduce social disparities in thehealth and well-being of their children.