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Fathers’ Commute to Work and Children’s Social and Emotional Well-Being in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Jianghong Li

    (WZB Berlin Social Science Center
    The University of Western Australia
    Curtin University)

  • Matthias Pollmann-Schult

    (WZB Berlin Social Science Center)

Abstract

Using the German Socio-Economic Panel study, we addressed the main question: Is fathers’ commute to work associated with increases in child social and emotional well-being as measured in Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires? If so, would this association be mediated by reduced time spent with children or moderated by change in family income due to commuting? The findings show that fathers’ daily commute to work was associated with more peer relationship problems, and it also appeared to be linked to more emotional symptoms and greater hyperactivity in children. Fathers’ weekly commute was also linked to child emotional problems. The likelihood of having peer relationship problems in children increased with the distance of fathers’ daily commute to work. This is one of only two studies on this important topic and much further research is warranted.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianghong Li & Matthias Pollmann-Schult, 2016. "Fathers’ Commute to Work and Children’s Social and Emotional Well-Being in Germany," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 488-501, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:37:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s10834-015-9467-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-015-9467-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Heather H. Kelley & Ashley B. LeBaron & E. Jeffrey Hill, 2021. "Family Matters: Decade Review from Journal of Family and Economic Issues," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 20-33, July.
    2. Kaiser, Till & Li, Jianghong & Pollmann-Schult, Matthias, 2019. "Evening and night work schedules and children's social and emotional well-being," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 22(2), pages 167-182.
    3. Kaiser, Till & Li, Jianghong & Pollmann-Schult, Matthias & Song, Anne Y., 2017. "Poverty and child behavioral problems: the mediating role of parenting and parental well-being," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 14(9), pages 1-1.
    4. Till Kaiser & Jianghong Li & Matthias Pollmann-Schult & Anne Y. Song, 2017. "Poverty and Child Behavioral Problems: The Mediating Role of Parenting and Parental Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-10, August.
    5. Dockery, Alfred Michael & Li, Jianghong & Kendall, Garth, 2016. "Sole-parent work schedules and adolescent wellbeing:Evidence from Australia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 167-174.

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