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Universal Childcare and Longer-Run Effects on Parental Health and Behaviors: Evidence from a Canadian Universal Child Care Program

Author

Listed:
  • Laetitia Lebihan

    (Department of Economics, University of Quebec in Montreal)

  • Catherine Haeck

    (Department of Economics, University of Quebec in Montreal)

  • Pierre Lefebvre

    (Department of Economics, University of Quebec in Montreal)

  • Philip Merrigan

    (Department of Economics, University of Quebec in Montreal)

Abstract

In this paper, we study the long-run impact of a universal child care policy in Quebec on parental health and parenting practices. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Child and Youth, we follow treated families for more than 9 years and investigate the impact well beyond the first few years of the policy. A non-experimental evaluation framework based on multiple pre- and post-treatment periods is used to estimate the policy effects. We show that the policy increased mothers' depression scores with preschool children as well as scores of inappropriate parenting behavior. The policy increased hostile and aversive parenting and reduced positive interaction and consistent parenting. However, negative effects of the program on parental behaviors vanish when the child is in school. Moreover, we find that this pattern persists even ten years after the implementation of the reform.

Suggested Citation

  • Laetitia Lebihan & Catherine Haeck & Pierre Lefebvre & Philip Merrigan, 2015. "Universal Childcare and Longer-Run Effects on Parental Health and Behaviors: Evidence from a Canadian Universal Child Care Program," Working Papers 15-04, Research Group on Human Capital, University of Quebec in Montreal's School of Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:grc:wpaper:15-04
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    File URL: https://grch.esg.uqam.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/82/Lebihan_Haeck_Lefebvre_Merrigan_GRCH_WP15-04.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2015
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    universal child care; parental health and behaviors; longer-run effects; child care policy; natural experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General

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