Well-Being of Arkansas & New Mexico Participants: A Longitudinal Study
CFEDSeptember 2010
Dr. Kameri Christy-McMullinDr. Marcia Shobe
University of Arkansas School of Social Work
Understanding the Study
1. Funded by the Ford Foundation
2. Quasi-experimental, bi-state (Arkansas & New Mexico), longitudinal study (N= 904)
IDA participants (n=619, 69%)
Non-IDA participants (n=239, 26%)
IDA exiters (n= 46, 5%)
3. Baseline data collected October 2006-2008IDA program start-up took longer than anticipated
Currently collecting Waves 3 and 4 data
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Research Questions
1. At baseline, after controlling for demographic, human capital and income variables, do financial assets contribute to (a) general health, (b) mental health, (c) self-efficacy, (d) economic strain, (e) social support and (f) intimate partner violence?
2. To what degree does self-selection into an IDA program influence well-being outcomes for IDA participants?
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Research Questions
3. In what way do IDA program exiters resemble either IDA program graduates or non-IDA participants?
4. After controlling for differences in demographic and outcome variables at baseline, do IDA program graduates have better well-being outcomes than either IDA-program exiters or non-IDA program participants?
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Theoretical Frameworks
Diverse theoretical foundation to reflect a holistic lens through which IDAs, well-being, social and economic development is viewed.
Behavioral Economics
Resource Theory
Social Inclusion Theory
Feminist Theory
Social Change Theory
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Variables/Outcomes
1. Demographics: gender, age, marital status, race, ethnicity, number of children, income
2. Human Capital: highest level of education attained, recent courses/training, employment status, health insurance
3. Financial Assets: homeownership, business ownership, non-IDA savings account
4. Outcomes: health, mental health, intimate partner violence, social supports, financial stability, self-efficacy and economic strain
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Outcome Measures - Scales
1. Social Capital: Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (subscale)
2. Financial Capital: Family Economic Strain Scale (FESS)
3. Self-Efficacy (4-item scale)
4. General Health (SF-12v2-subscale)
5. Mental Health (SF-12v2- subscale)
6. IPV- based on Power & Control Wheel (physical, verbal, sexual, economic , and any abuse)
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Current Status of Study
1. All of Wave 1 data have been collected:Baseline differences between IDA and non-IDA program participants?Controlling for demographics, human capital, and income, do financial assets predict increased well-being?
2. All of Wave 2 data have been collected:Controlling for baseline differences, demographics, human capital, and income, do financial assets predict better levels of well-being?
3. Most of Wave 3 data have been collected.4. 30% of Wave 4 data have been collected.
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Brief Summary of Findings
Wave 1 (N=904), IDA v. non-IDA members:
IDA participants had better or higher levels of education, employment, homeownership, business ownership, non-IDA savings, reported health, and social supports than non-IDA participants.*
However, IDA participants reported significantly higher levels of economic strain than non-IDA participants.*
* Only statistically significant differences reported
* Shobe, Christy-McMullin, Murphy-Erby, Jordan, Hamilton & Givens, 2010
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Brief Summary of Findings
Wave 1- controlling for demographics, human capital and income, do financial assets predict better levels well-being?
For general health, including financial assets in the regression increased adjusted R2 from 10.5% to 11.5% (p = .007).*
For economic strain, adding financial assets increased R2 significantly from 10.5% to 11.7% (p = .004).*
*Shobe, Christy-McMullin, Hamilton, Murphy-Erby, Denny & Givens (in progress)
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Brief Summary of Findings
Wave 2 (N=483)- examined IDA participants, IDA exiters & non-IDA participants.
57% of IDA & 44% of non-IDA members responded.
IDA members report better or higher levels of education, income, business ownership, non-IDA savings accounts and general health.
However, IDA members experienced higher levels of economic strain than non-IDA members.
* Only statistically significant differences reported
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Brief Summary of Findings
Wave 2 (n=483)- examining IDA members, IDA exiters & non-IDA members.
IDA exiters report twice the rate of feeling depressed as IDA or non-IDA participants. African Americans have highest rate of exiting IDA program. IDA exiters report 4 times more physical abuse than IDA participants and twice that of non-IDA participants.
* Only statistically significant differences reported
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Brief Summary of Findings
Wave 2 - examining IDA members, IDA exiters & non-IDA members
2/3 exiters left IDA program because not able to deposit money as required by program rules.
IDA members have higher levels of self-efficacy than non-IDA participants.
35% IDA participants purchased asset at Wave 2; 97% retained that asset.
* Only statistically significant differences reported
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Brief Summary of Findings
One Year Later: Wave 1 and 2 Comparisons: Controlling for Wave 1, demographics, human capital and income, do financial assets predict better levels of well-being for IDA participants?
Levels of self-efficacy decreased. Economic strain increased. IPV (physical abuse) decreased at Wave 2. Savings account balance positively related to self-efficacy and economic strain.
* Only statistically significant differences reported14
References
Shobe, M.A., Christy-McMullin, K., Hamilton, L., Murphy-Erby, Y., Denny, G & Givens, A. (in progress). Personal and Social Well-Being: What Are Financial Asset Contributions?
Shobe, M.A., Christy-McMullin, K., Murphy-Erby, Y., Jordan, S., Hamilton, L., & Givens, A. “Relationships between Household Assets and Individual Well-Being: Preliminary Findings from 904 Low-Income Participants in Arkansas and New Mexico,” Paper presentation, International Conference for Academic Disciplines, Orlando, Florida, March 2010.
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