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

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Bibliographic Details
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 0000-0003-3808-0838), Lisa A. Gennetian (ORCID 0000-0002-4639-7547), Jessica F. Sperber (ORCID 0000-0002-1636-5560), Renata Penalva (ORCID 0000-0001-6417-2803), Katherine Magnuson, Greg J. Duncan, Sarah Halpern-Meekin (ORCID 0000-0002-2142-5097), Hirokazu Yoshikawa, Nathan A. Fox (ORCID 0000-0003-4452-4503), Kimberly G. Noble (ORCID 0000-0003-1496-5113)
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
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