Title

Family Structure, Family Stability and Early Child Wellbeing

Author(s)

Terry-Ann Craigie Terry-Ann Craigie (Princeton University)

Jeanne Brooks-Gunn Jeanne Brooks-Gunn (Columbia University)

Jane Waldfogel Jane Waldfogel (Columbia University)

Abstract

This study exploits rich data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) to distinguish the effects of family structure at birth from family stability over time on child cognitive, socio-emotional and health outcomes. We define two models: one that measures family structure at birth only and a second that measures possible changes in family structure since birth. We find that both family structure and stability are important to all child outcomes but for family structure, the results are attenuated by child and demographic characteristics. Family stability effects by contrast, remain significant even after these controls are included and also reveal that the cognitive, socio-emotional and health outcomes of children born to married or cohabiting parents are more adversely affected by changes in family structure over time.

Creation Date

2010-11

Section URL ID

CRCW

Paper Number

WP10-14-FF.pdf

URL

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Terry-Ann-Craigie/publication/228827417_Family_Structure_Family_Stability_and_Early_Child_Wellbeing/links/00b495286431d762dd000000/Family-Structure-Family-Stability-and-Early-Child-Wellbeing.pdf

File Function

Jel

D100, D600, I100, I380

Keyword(s)

Asthma, Cognitive Ability, Behavioral Problems, Family Structure, Family Stability and Obesity

Suppress

false

Series

8