The Effect of Unconditional Cash Transfers on Maternal Assessments of Children's Early Language and Socioemotional Development: Experimental Evidence from U.S. Families Residing in Poverty
Saved in:
| Title: | The Effect of Unconditional Cash Transfers on Maternal Assessments of Children's Early Language and Socioemotional Development: Experimental Evidence from U.S. Families Residing in Poverty |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Emma R. Hart (ORCID |
| Source: | Developmental Psychology. 2024 60(12):2290-2305. |
| Availability: | American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (DHHS/NIH) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) (DHHS), Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: | R01HD087384 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Poverty, Economically Disadvantaged, Poverty Programs, Preschool Children, Child Development, Developmental Delays, Social Development, Emotional Development, Mothers, Language Acquisition, Early Intervention, Family Income, Guaranteed Income |
| DOI: | 10.1037/dev0001824 |
| ISSN: | 0012-1649 1939-0599 |
| Abstract: | Economic disadvantage has often been associated with poorer performance on measures of early childhood development. However, the causal impacts of income on child development remain unclear. The present study uses data from the Baby's First Years randomized control trial to identify the causal impact of unconditional cash transfers on maternal reports of early childhood development. One thousand racially and ethnically diverse mothers residing in poverty were recruited from four U.S. metropolitan areas shortly after giving birth. Mothers were randomized to receive either a $333/month or $20/month unconditional cash transfer for the first several years of their child's life. Maternal reports of language and socioemotional development, concerns for developmental delay, and enrollment in early intervention services were collected annually at the time of the child's first, second, and third birthdays. In this registered report, we document no statistically detectable impacts of the high-cash gift on maternal reports of child development. We discuss the significance and implications of these findings. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Notes: | https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/web/DSDR/studies/37871/versions/V7 |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1501415 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Economic disadvantage has often been associated with poorer performance on measures of early childhood development. However, the causal impacts of income on child development remain unclear. The present study uses data from the Baby's First Years randomized control trial to identify the causal impact of unconditional cash transfers on maternal reports of early childhood development. One thousand racially and ethnically diverse mothers residing in poverty were recruited from four U.S. metropolitan areas shortly after giving birth. Mothers were randomized to receive either a $333/month or $20/month unconditional cash transfer for the first several years of their child's life. Maternal reports of language and socioemotional development, concerns for developmental delay, and enrollment in early intervention services were collected annually at the time of the child's first, second, and third birthdays. In this registered report, we document no statistically detectable impacts of the high-cash gift on maternal reports of child development. We discuss the significance and implications of these findings. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0012-1649 1939-0599 |
| DOI: | 10.1037/dev0001824 |
