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Do Childhood Experiences of Parental Separation Lead to Homelessness?

Author

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  • Julie Moschion

    (Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne; ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course; and EconomiX, University of Nanterre)

  • Jan C. van Ours

    (Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam and Tinbergen Institute; Department of Economics, The University of Melbourne; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); and Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA))

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of parental separation on homelessness. Previous studies have only been able to provide descriptive evidence that parental separations relate to reductions in housing quality and stability. Using a unique dataset of disadvantaged Australians who provide retrospective information on parental separation and housing circumstances, we estimate bivariate duration models to examine transitions into homelessness following parental separation. Controlling for observed as well as unobserved family and individual characteristics, and exploiting the timing of events, we show that parental separation significantly increases the likelihood of experiencing homelessness in subsequent years if the separation occurred before the respondent was 12 years old. Parental separation occurring from the age of 12 only increases boys’ likelihood of becoming homeless, but not girls’.

Suggested Citation

  • Julie Moschion & Jan C. van Ours, 2017. "Do Childhood Experiences of Parental Separation Lead to Homelessness?," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2017n14, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    • Handle: RePEc:iae:iaewps:wp2017n14
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Moschion, Julie & van Ours, Jan C., 2022. "Do early episodes of depression and anxiety make homelessness more likely?," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 654-674.
    2. Moschion, Julie & van Ours, Jan C., 2021. "Do transitions in and out of homelessness relate to mental health episodes? A longitudinal analysis in an extremely disadvantaged population," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    3. Landaud, Fanny, 2021. "From employment to engagement? Stable jobs, temporary jobs, and cohabiting relationships," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    4. Shannon Ward & Jenny Williams & Jan C. van Ours, 2021. "Delinquency, Arrest and Early School Leaving," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 83(2), pages 411-436, April.
    5. Suziedelyte, Agne & Zhu, Anna, 2021. "The intergenerational impact of reduced generosity in the social safety net," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 1-24.
    6. O'Flaherty, Brendan, 2019. "Homelessness research: A guide for economists (and friends)," Journal of Housing Economics, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 1-25.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Parental separation; homelessness; Australia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure

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