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Impact of the United States federal child tax credit on childhood injuries and behavior problems

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  • Rostad, Whitney L.
  • Klevens, Joanne
  • Ports, Katie A.
  • Ford, Derek C.

Abstract

Children who grow up in poverty are at risk for various poor outcomes. Socioeconomic policies can shape the conditions in which families are raising children and may be effective at reducing financial strain and helping families obtain economic sufficiency, thereby reducing risk for poor health outcomes. This study used data from two surveys conducted in the US, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79) and the NLSY79 Young Adult survey to determine whether the U.S. Federal Child Tax Credit (CTC), a socioeconomic policy that provides tax relief to low- and middle-income families to offset the costs of raising children, is associated with child well-being, as indicated by whether the child had injuries requiring medical attention and behavioral problems. Fixed-effects models, accounting for year and state of residence, detected a lower likelihood of injuries requiring medical attention (OR = 0.58, 95% CI [0.40, 0.86]) and significantly fewer behavior problems (b = −2.07, 95% CI [−4.06, −0.08]) among children with mothers eligible to receive a CTC, but only when it was partially refundable (i.e., mothers could receive a tax refund for a portion of the CTC that exceeds their tax liability) for families making as little as $3000 a year. Tax credits like the CTC have the potential to alleviate financial strain among families, and consequently, may have impacts on injury and behavior problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Rostad, Whitney L. & Klevens, Joanne & Ports, Katie A. & Ford, Derek C., 2020. "Impact of the United States federal child tax credit on childhood injuries and behavior problems," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:109:y:2020:i:c:s0190740919308047
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104718
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Simpson, Julija & Albani, Viviana & Bell, Zoe & Bambra, Clare & Brown, Heather, 2021. "Effects of social security policy reforms on mental health and inequalities: A systematic review of observational studies in high-income countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    3. Ports, Katie A. & Tang, Shichao & Treves-Kagan, Sarah & Rostad, Whitney, 2021. "Breaking the cycle of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Economic position moderates the relationship between mother and child ACE scores among Black and Hispanic families," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    4. Yuhua Li & Xiheng Gong & Jingyi Zhang & Ziwei Xiang & Chengjun Liao, 2022. "The Impact of Mobile Payment on Household Poverty Vulnerability: A Study Based on CHFS2017 in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-20, October.

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