This project would provide support to Dr. Marcia J. Carlson to pursue her long-term research objective of studying how family contexts affect the well-being of children and parents, with particular emphasis on mother-father and parent-child dyadic relationships. Trained as a family sociologist and demographer, Dr. Carlson now endeavors to broaden her research skills and experience by obtaining additional training in developmental psychology and statistical/econometric methods that will enhance her ability to study, how family structure and processes affect parents and children. This project would enable her to take substantive and methodological courses and to work with four exceptional mentors--Dr. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Dr. Irv Garfinkel, Dr. Sara McLanahan, and Dr. Jane Waldfogel---each highly esteemed in their respective fields. This project will use new data from the Fragile Families and Child Well-being Study to examine linkages among family structure, mother-father relationships, father involvement, and child well-being for a cohort of children born outside of marriage. In particular, this study has the following specific aims: 1) To describe the range of family circumstances experienced by children born outside of marriage, including family structure, the quality of parents' relationship with each other, the nature of fathers' (and mothers') involvement with children, and a range of associated social, demographic and economic characteristics; 2) To analyze how the status and quality of the relationship between mothers and fathers--as it evolves over time following a non-marital birth--affects the nature and quality of fathers' involvement with their children; 3) To assess how fathers' involvement with their children is associated with child well-being; 4) To evaluate the mechanisms by which family structure affects children born to unmarried parents (including direct and indirect effects) and the extent to which the mediating pathways are similar to or different from those identified in the literature on divorce. This study will use new data to extend our knowledge about family processes and their consequences for unmarried parents and their children. In order to develop sound social programs and policies, it is crucial to understand more about this growing--but understudied--demographic group.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01HD042776-01A1
Application #
6678706
Study Section
Pediatrics Subcommittee (CHHD)
Program Officer
Casper, Lynne M
Project Start
2003-07-15
Project End
2008-04-30
Budget Start
2003-07-15
Budget End
2004-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$108,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Social Work
DUNS #
049179401
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10027
Carlson, Marcia J; VanOrman, Alicia G (2017) Trajectories of relationship supportiveness after childbirth: Does marriage matter? Soc Sci Res 66:102-117
Carlson, Marcia J; Berger, Lawrence M (2013) What Kids Get from Parents: Packages of Parental Involvement across Complex Family Forms. Soc Serv Rev 87:213-249
Bzostek, Sharon H; McLanahan, Sara S; Carlson, Marcia J (2012) Mothers' Repartnering after a Nonmarital Birth. Soc Forces 90:817-841
Carlson, Marcia J; Pilkauskas, Natasha V; McLanahan, Sara S et al. (2011) ""Couples as Partners and Parents over Children's Early Years"" J Marriage Fam 73:317-334
Carlson, Marcia J; McLanahan, Sara S; Brooks-Gunn, Jeanne (2008) Coparenting and nonresident fathers'involvement with young children after a nonmarital birth. Demography 45:461-88
Carlson, Marcia; McLanahan, Sara; England, Paula (2004) Union formation in fragile families. Demography 41:237-61