Abstract
Investigators of complex phenomena often seek to isolate variables of interest by statistical control. However, they run the risk of studying situations that do not exist in the real world, missing mediational links, and drawing incorrect policy conclusions. In the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Early Child Care Research Network article in this issue, amount of time in child care was studied controlling for family income and maternal depression. However, use of child care is closely linked with maternal employment, which increases family income and decreases maternal depression, which in turn are linked to children's socioemotional adjustment. Hence, the negative effects of amount of time in child care reported in the article are likely overestimated relative to causal pathways in the lives of real families.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
