Three-Generation Family Households and Child Wellbeing in Fragile Families

Natasha Pilkauskas, Columbia University

This paper investigates to what extent stable and unstable three generation family households (grandparent, parent, child) are associated with child health, socioemotional and academic wellbeing over the first three years of a child’s life. Using longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N=4,009) differences in the association by mother’s relationship status and race/ethnicity are investigated. Results suggest stable three generation family households are associated with child wellbeing whereas unstable or transitory three generation households are not. Living in a stable three generation family household is protective against child behavior problems for married families but detrimental for single or Black mothers. Stable three generation coresidence generally improves PPVT scores but also increases the odds of being overweight for some groups.