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Can Early Intervention Improve Maternal Well-being? Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Orla Doyle

    (University College Dublin)

  • Liam Delaney

    (Behavioural Science Centre, Stirling Management School, Stirling University)

  • Christine O'Farrelly

    (Centre for Mental Health, Imperial College London)

  • Nick Fitzpatrick

    (UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy, University College Dublin)

  • Michael Daly

    (Behavioural Science Centre, Stirling Management School, Stirling University)

Abstract

This study estimates the effect of a targeted policy intervention on global and experienced measures of maternal well-being. Participants from a disadvantaged community are randomly assigned during pregnancy to an intensive home visiting parenting program or a control group. The intervention has no impact on global well-being as measured by life satisfaction and parenting stress or experienced negative affect using episodic reports derived from the Day Reconstruction Method (DRM). Treatment effects are observed on measures of experienced positive affect from the DRM and a measure of mood yesterday. This suggests that early intervention may produce some improvements in experienced well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Orla Doyle & Liam Delaney & Christine O'Farrelly & Nick Fitzpatrick & Michael Daly, 2015. "Can Early Intervention Improve Maternal Well-being? Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial," Working Papers 2015-015, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:hka:wpaper:2015-015
    Note: ECI
    as

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    File URL: http://humcap.uchicago.edu/RePEc/hka/wpaper/Doyle_Delaney_OFarrelly_etal_2015_early-int-maternal-well.pdf
    File Function: First version, November, 2015
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Orla Doyle, 2012. "Breaking the Cycle of Deprivation: An Experimental Evaluation of an Early Childhood Intervention," Working Papers 201212, Geary Institute, University College Dublin.
    2. Beshears, John & Choi, James J. & Laibson, David & Madrian, Brigitte C., 2008. "How are preferences revealed?," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(8-9), pages 1787-1794, August.
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    5. Orla Doyle & Louise McEntee & Kelly A. McNamara, 2010. "Skills, Capabilities and Inequalities at School Entry in a Disadvantaged Community," Working Papers 201014, Geary Institute, University College Dublin.
    6. Alan B. Krueger & Andreas I. Mueller, 2012. "Time Use, Emotional Well-Being, and Unemployment: Evidence from Longitudinal Data," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 102(3), pages 594-599, May.
    7. Jonathan Gruber & Sendhil Mullainathan, 2006. "Do Cigarette Taxes Make Smokers Happier?," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Yew-Kwang Ng & Lok Sang Ho (ed.), Happiness and Public Policy, chapter 6, pages 109-146, Palgrave Macmillan.
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    12. Peter Hoffenaar & Frank Balen & Jo Hermanns, 2010. "The Impact of Having a Baby on the Level and Content of Women’s Well-Being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 97(2), pages 279-295, June.
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    20. Daniel Kahneman & Alan B. Krueger, 2006. "Developments in the Measurement of Subjective Well-Being," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 20(1), pages 3-24, Winter.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    well-being; randomized controlled trial; early intervention;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Hypothesis Testing: General
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • I39 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Other
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • I00 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - General - - - General

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