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The Role of Child Support Debt on the Development of Mental Health Problems among Nonresident Fathers

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  • Hyunjoon Um

    (Columbia University School of Social Work)

Abstract

Using the first five waves of data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), this research examines whether nonresident fathers who owe child support arrears are at risk for the development of depression and alcohol abuse problems. To attenuate a potential omitted variable bias, I controlled for fathers’ previous mental health status by including a lagged dependent variable as a covariate. As a robustness check, I used an instrumental variable approach to correct for endogeneity and measurement error associated with mothers’ report of fathers' child support arrears. The study provides strong evidence that fathers who owe arrears are more likely to report mental health problems than those who do not owe any arrears. The study also finds that fathers who receive more support from friends and families during childbirth were less likely to develop depression caused by child support arrears than those who receive less support.

Suggested Citation

  • Hyunjoon Um, 2019. "The Role of Child Support Debt on the Development of Mental Health Problems among Nonresident Fathers," Working Papers wp19-05-ff, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    • Handle: RePEc:pri:crcwel:wp19-05-ff
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    File URL: https://fragilefamilies.princeton.edu/sites/fragilefamilies/files/wp19-05-ff.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Child support debt; Depression; Anxiety; Alcohol Abuse; Social Support; Stress Process;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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