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When behavioral barriers are too high or low – How timing matters for text-based parenting interventions

Author

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  • Cortes, Kalena E.
  • Fricke, Hans
  • Loeb, Susanna
  • Song, David S.
  • York, Benjamin N.

Abstract

Text-messaged-based parenting curricula can be effective in supporting positive parenting practices. This study compares weekday to weekend delivery of such a program focused on early childhood development. Weekend texts are, on average, more beneficial to children's literacy and math development for initially lower-achieving children. The weekday texts show benefits for higher-achieving children on higher-order skills. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that lower-educated parents and parents of lower-achieving students face such high barriers during weekdays that light-touch supports cannot consistently overcome them, while during weekends barriers to parenting are well-suited to being addressed by these behavioral approaches.

Suggested Citation

  • Cortes, Kalena E. & Fricke, Hans & Loeb, Susanna & Song, David S. & York, Benjamin N., 2023. "When behavioral barriers are too high or low – How timing matters for text-based parenting interventions," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:92:y:2023:i:c:s027277572200125x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2022.102352
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Text messaging; Parental engagement; Literacy and reading skills; Math Skills; Parent-child Activities;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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