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Non-income effects of welfare receipt on early childhood cognitive scores

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  • Heflin, Colleen M.
  • Acevedo, Sharon Kukla

Abstract

Child poverty in America has become an enduring part of the social landscape that many families must navigate. As prior research has established that income transfers can affect child outcomes, we focus our attention on the conditions under which these transfers occur. Using panel data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, we examine the non-income effects of TANF participation on children's early cognitive development using methods to address statistical concerns about endogeneity and selection. Our results indicate that participating in TANF is negatively associated with cognitive development. Furthermore, we are able to identify maternal stress as a viable causal pathway between TANF receipt and cognitive development, a result that we are unable to replicate with a falsification test involving the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Our results suggest that the structure of cash transfers may have effects on early childhood outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Heflin, Colleen M. & Acevedo, Sharon Kukla, 2011. "Non-income effects of welfare receipt on early childhood cognitive scores," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 634-643, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:33:y:2011:i:5:p:634-643
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    1. Kukla-Acevedo, Sharon & Heflin, Colleen M., 2014. "Unemployment insurance effects on child academic outcomes: Results from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(P3), pages 246-252.
    2. Xuan Huo & Huawei Han & Qin Gao, 2023. "Does Welfare Participation Affect Adolescent Educational Aspiration? Evidence from Panel Data in China," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(3), pages 1171-1202, June.

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