Effects of Welfare Reform on Children of Adolescent Mothers: Moderation by Maternal Depression, Father Involvement, and Grandmother Involvement

Abstract

SUMMARY There are few data available on how effects of welfare reform on children may differ for different kinds of families. This study examined the constructs of maternal depression, father involvement, and grandmother involvement as moderators of the effects of a welfare reform program on children. The sample included 1,602 children between the ages of 3 and 6 ½ whose mothers had participated in New Chance, a multi-site welfare-to-work program with an emphasis on human capital development (i.e., education, job training). Father and grandmother co-residence were investigated, in addition to perceived support from these family members, in predicting cognitive and behavioral child outcomes. The mediating roles of parenting stress and emotional support in parenting were also explored. Although main effects were found for the intervention and for maternal depression, no main effects were found for the family ecology variables. However, interactions suggested complex relationships among New Chance and the family characteristics for both the full sample and for Latina families. Results are discussed in terms of policy implications and possible future research.