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The Economic Benefits of Marriage and Family Strengthening Programs

Author

Listed:
  • Stephen R. Shamblen

    (Pacific Institute for Research & Evaluation - Louisville Center)

  • Andrew Gluck

    (Pacific Institute for Research & Evaluation - Louisville Center
    Social Capital Valuations, LLC)

  • William Wubbenhorst

    (Social Capital Valuations, LLC)

  • David A. Collins

    (Pacific Institute for Research & Evaluation - Louisville Center)

Abstract

Marriage and family strengthening programs have historically had small magnitude effects on changing relationship outcomes. The present study explores the possibility that although these statistical effects are small, they can be shown to represent meaningful financial impacts. Secondary data from 2092 control and 2042 intervention couples who were married with children and participating in the Supporting Healthy Marriage (SHM) project were analyzed. Intervention participants had the opportunity to receive standardized curricula (e.g., PREP) and marital counseling. Similar to meta-analytic findings, conventional analysis of these data found only a modest impact on proximal relationship outcomes (e.g., satisfaction). Offering counseling in conjunction with curricula, although costlier and only demonstrating marginally significant improvements in averting divorce, appears to offer a substantial financial return on investment. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen R. Shamblen & Andrew Gluck & William Wubbenhorst & David A. Collins, 2018. "The Economic Benefits of Marriage and Family Strengthening Programs," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 39(3), pages 386-404, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:39:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s10834-018-9565-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-018-9565-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Heckman, James, 2013. "Sample selection bias as a specification error," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 31(3), pages 129-137.
    2. Robert G. Wood & Quinn Moore & Andrew Clarkwest & Alexandra Killewald & Shannon Monahan, "undated". "The Long-Term Effects of Building Strong Families: A Relationship Skills Education Program (Executive Summary)," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 6f1c3be7ce9f4d7cbeedf3a4a, Mathematica Policy Research.
    3. repec:mpr:mprres:7580 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Robert G. Wood & Quinn Moore & Andrew Clarkwest & Alexandra Killewald, "undated". "The Long-Term Effects of Building Strong Families: A Program for Unmarried Parents," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 3ce2a1ad000e4df09fb94b434, Mathematica Policy Research.
    5. David G. Schramm, 2006. "Individual and Social Costs of Divorce in Utah," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 133-151, April.
    6. repec:mpr:mprres:7578 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Quinn Moore & Robert G. Wood & Andrew Clarkwest & Alexandra Killewald & Shannon Monahan, "undated". "The Long-Term Effects of Building Strong Families: A Relationship Skills Education Program (Technical Supplement)," Mathematica Policy Research Reports bb8635c74c6d4f73b84bb124a, Mathematica Policy Research.
    8. repec:mpr:mprres:7579 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jeffrey Dew, 2021. "Ten Years of Marriage and Cohabitation Research in the Journal of Family and Economic Issues," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 52-61, July.

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