Research That Matters (January 17 - 20, 2008)

This symposium includes an introduction to the data and three high quality empirical studies that make use of its intergenerational features. The first presenter, a user services professional from the NLSY survey center, will briefly overview the NLSY79 data, including the types of variables it offers with a particular emphasis on the psycho-social measures that may be of interest to social workers. Because one goal of this symposium is to increase the use of the NLSY by social workers, the presenter will also briefly explain the data access procedures and supports available for new users.

Three empirical papers then illustrate the strength of this data. Each paper addresses a different topic related to family functioning, and all use sophisticated statistical models to best make use of the data's longitudinal and nested nature. The first paper, “Nonstandard Work Schedules and Child Behavioral Outcomes” examines how children age birth to 10 fare when their parents work nonstandard hours, defined as work shifts falling outside of the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. range. Extensive control variables, random-effect specifications, and child fixed-effect models were use to account for selection bias and omitted variables.

The second paper, “Family Structure Transitions and Children's Wellbeing During Middle Childhood” shows how children are affected by transitions in their parents' relationship statuses. This analysis uses a sample of children age 5 to 12 and relies on Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) to identify the effects of family structure transitions on changes in achievement and behavior, while reducing bias from unobserved persistent child and family characteristics.

The final paper, “Independence Giving or Autonomy Taking? Childhood Predictors of Decision-Sharing Patterns Between Young Adolescents and Parents” summarizes a study of the extent to which children's skills and preferences influence family processes. Using a sample of adolescents observed at age 12 or 13 and measures of cognitive and social functioning observed earlier in their lives, the authors estimate children's influences in making decisions about their own lives. This analysis uses both cross-sectional and sibling fixed effects models to partially account for the enogeneity of child characteristics and family functioning. The discussant, a researcher at the Bureau of Labor Statistics*, will comment on the papers and other possible uses of this powerful and unique data source.

*Note: The BLS researcher's participation has been confirmed at the office level but not yet officially confirmed per Federal employee guidelines. We anticipate approval because there will be no out-of-area travel involved.