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Children's Elevated Risk of Asthma in Unmarried Families: Underlying Structural and Behavioral Mechanisms

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  • Kristen Harknett

    (University of Pennsylvania)

Abstract

Among a recent birth cohort in U.S. cities, children were far more likely to be diagnosed with asthma and to experience an asthma-related emergency within 15 months of their birth if their parents were unmarried. Comparing babies born to parents who were married, cohabiting, and not living together at the time of their baby's birth reveals a "family structure gradient:" asthma diagnoses and emergencies increase in a linear fashion as the parents? relationship becomes weaker. This paper uses longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to provide evidence on the mechanisms underlying the relationship between family structure and children's asthma. I find that demographic and socioeconomic correlates of marriage explain asthma differences between children of married and cohabiting parents. However, children whose parents live apart appear to be at heightened risk of being diagnosed with asthma and experiencing an asthma-related emergency even after taking into account demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Mother?s health behavior explains a relatively small portion of family structure differences in asthma, and father involvement makes no difference in children?s asthma diagnosis or emergencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristen Harknett, 2005. "Children's Elevated Risk of Asthma in Unmarried Families: Underlying Structural and Behavioral Mechanisms," Working Papers 943, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    • Handle: RePEc:pri:crcwel:wp05-01-ff-harknett.pdf
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    File URL: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.537.2506&rep=rep1&type=pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bloom, B. & Dawson, D., 1991. "Family structure and child health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 81(11), pages 1526-1527.
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    3. Lundberg, Olle, 1993. "The impact of childhood living conditions on illness and mortality in adulthood," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 36(8), pages 1047-1052, April.
    4. Wendy Sigle-Rushton & Sara McLanahan, 2002. "For Richer or Poorer?," JCPR Working Papers 264, Northwestern University/University of Chicago Joint Center for Poverty Research.
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    1. repec:pri:crcwel:wp10-14-ff is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Terry-Ann Craigie & Jeanne Brooks-Gunn & Jane Waldfogel, 2010. "Family Structure, Family Stability and Early Child Wellbeing," Working Papers 1275, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..

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