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Complex Living Arrangements and Child Health: Examining Family Structure Linkages with Children's Health Outcomes
Author(s) -
ZiolGuest Kathleen M.,
Dunifon Rachel E.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
family relations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1741-3729
pISSN - 0197-6664
DOI - 10.1111/fare.12071
Subject(s) - grandparent , stepfamily , developmental psychology , psychology , single parent , cohabitation , child health , single mothers , gerontology , medicine , family medicine , political science , law
Using data on 67,558 children (age 0 to 17) from the 1999 and 2002 rounds of the National Survey of America's Families, the association between complex living arrangements and children's health is examined. The authors consider children residing in a wide range of living arrangements, including with stepparents, single fathers, custodial grandparents, and nonkin foster parents. Findings suggest that children's health varies by family structure. The authors find a key role for living with a biological father when predicting children's health. Children living with a single father are less likely to have poor health outcomes than most other groups, whereas those with a stepfather have reduced health outcomes. The same is not true for those living with a single mother or stepmother. Children being raised by a grandparent and those in foster care have particularly poor health outcomes. Mediation analysis suggests income and health insurance status do not explain these relationships .