Abstract
This dissertation investigates the multifaceted dynamics of long-term economic stress and its association with subsequent caregiver psychological well-being and children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors. For a comprehensive measure of household economic stress, this dissertation delves into the severity, duration, and fluctuation of economic stress, considering diverse income and asset profiles. The research framework utilizes and integrates a range of existing theories to create a context for understanding the intricate interplay between economic stress, caregiver mental health, and children's behavioral outcomes. Data are drawn from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, which includes both information about household economic stress and child and caregiver well-being. This study finds that different kinds and combinations of economic stress have different associations with caregiver and child behaviors. These findings suggest the importance of family-based policies and interventions, which are able to address economic and non-economic needs across generations for economically vulnerable populations.
Committee Chair
Brett Drake
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Author's Department
Social Work
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
7-4-2024
Language
English (en)
Recommended Citation
Chen, Jun-Hong, "How Household Economic Stress Matters: Family Functioning and Child Externalizing and Internalizing Behaviors" (2024). Brown School Theses and Dissertations. 38.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.7936/xx6q-5815