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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Dec 9.
Published in final edited form as: Child Youth Serv Rev. 2007 Jun;29(6):698–720. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2006.12.002

Appendix B.

Variable Definitions

WES IFS MTAS FF 3-City
Full-time work Currently working full time (35+ hrs/wk) on all jobs, combined. Currently working full time (35+ hrs/wk) on all jobs, combined. Currently working full time (35+ hrs/wk) on all jobs, combined. Worked 35+ hrs last week. At wave 1, measure represents full-time work status within the last 3 months (given that mother recently gave birth to child). Currently working full time (35+ hrs/wk) on all jobs, combined.
Hourly wage Hourly wage on current or most recent job before taxes and other deductions. Values lower than $2.00 per hour or greater than $50.00 per hour are excluded. Hourly wage on current main job before taxes and other deductions. Values greater than $50 per hour are excluded. Hourly wage on current job before taxes and other deductions. Hourly wage before taxes and other deductions. Presumes8 hour work day and 52 week work year for mothers reporting daily/yearly wages. Hourly wage on current main job before taxes and other deductions.
Income-to-needs ratio Monthly income-to-needs (net of taxes)ratio is created by dividing respondent’s monthly household income by the monthly poverty threshold for respondent’s household size. Respondent’s monthly household income is the sum of respondent’s earnings last month, other household earnings last month, FIP (i.e., TANF) support last month, Food Stamps last month, SSI last month, child support last month, monetary transfers from family/friends outside respondent’s household last month, unemployment or workers compensation last month, and other household income last month, and subtracts monthly taxes, which consists of monthly federal income tax for the tax unit plus monthly payroll tax for all household members. Monthly income-to- needs ratio is created by dividing respondent’s annual gross household (i.e., respondent, cohabiting partner, and dependent co-resident children) income from the previous calendar year by the poverty threshold for respondent’s household size at the previous interview. (For wave 1, the current household size was used, minus any dependent children who were born, or a spouse/partner who moved in, within the last year.) Respondent’s household income is the sum of earnings, TANF, Food Stamps, SSI, child support, pensions, social security benefits, unemployment insurance, worker’s compensation, foster care payments, emergency assistance, money from family or friends, and all other sources combined. For respondents who reported an income range (in increments of $2,500) rather than a specific value, the median value of the range was used. Annual income-to-needs ratio computed by dividing gross household income for the past 12 months by the family- size adjusted poverty threshold. Household income is the sum of TANF payments, food stamp benefits, earnings reported for the purpose of Unemployment Insurance, income from other government programs, and spouse/partner earnings (if applicable).The first three income sources were measured using administrative data; the latter two were measured using survey data. Yearly self-reported total gross household income divided by the poverty threshold for the household size/composition. For respondents who reported income ranges, hotdeck imputation was used. Respondents with no income information were left missing. Wave 1 generated only income ranges and substantial missing values, so no income-to-needs ratio is included for that wave. Monthly income-to- needs ratio is created by dividing respondent’s annual gross household (i.e., from all individuals contributing to the household finances) income from the previous calendar year by the poverty threshold for respondent’s household size at the previous interview. (For wave 1, the current household size was used, minus any dependent children who were born, or a spouse/partner who moved in, within the last year.) Respondent’s household income is the sum of earnings, TANF, Food Stamps, SSI, child support, pensions, social security benefits, unemployment insurance, worker’s compensation, foster care payments, emergency assistance, money from family or friends, and all other sources combined. For respondents who reported an income range (in increments of $2,500) rather than a specific value, the median value of the range was used.
TANF Respondent’s household received cash TANF benefits last month (administrative data). Respondent currently receives cash TANF benefits for self and/or dependent children (self-report). Open TANF case, within 30 days of baseline interview or at the time of the follow-up interviews, as measured using administrative data At waves 2 and 3, received TANF in past 12 months. At wave 1, received TANF or Food Stamps in past 12 months. Respondent currently receives cash TANF benefits for self and/or dependent children (self- report).
Food Stamps Respondent or someone in respondent’s household received food stamps, food stamps on the Bridge Card, or Food Stamp cashout in the prior month (self-report). Respondent currently receives Food Stamp benefits for self and/or dependent children (self-report). Open Food Stamp case, within 30 days of baseline interview or at the time of the follow-up interviews, as measured using administrative data At wave 2 and 3, received Food Stamps in past 12 months. Respondent currently receives Food Stamp benefits for self and/or dependent children (self- report).
Health insurance status In waves 1 and 3, a respondent is coded as receiving some form of health insurance if she receives (1) Private or employer provided health insurance, or (2) Medicaid, Medicare, or any other health insurance. In wave 2, a respondent is coded as having health insurance if she reports receiving (1) Medicaid or Medicare, or (2) any other health insurance coverage. In waves 4 and 5, a respondent is coded as receiving some form of health insurance if she receives (1) Medicaid, Medicare, or any other government health insurance, (2) any health insurance plan through current employer, former employer, or union, or(3) health plan through someone else, military health plans, or plans bought on her own through a health insurance agency. Respondent reported being “covered by a health insurance plan right now.” Respondents were asked: “Do you have medical insurance coverage now?” At waves 2 and 3, respondent is currently covered by Medicaid (or other public insurance that pays for medical care) or private insurance. At wave 1, mother was asked how she is paying for child’s birth, and nearly all mothers reported some form of insurance. A respondent is coded as receiving some form of health insurance if she answered “yes”+G8 to “Are you covered by any type of health insurance plan or program that pays for at least some of your medical expenses?”
Supplemental Security Income In waves 2-5, respondents were asked: “Are you currently receiving disability benefits for yourself?” Respondents who answered “yes” are coded as receiving disability benefits. This question was not asked in wave 1; values for wave 1 are imputed from related survey questions and administrative data. Respondents were asked if they received “money or assistance from Aid for the disabled (such as Supplementary Security Income or SSI)” for themselves in the previous calendar year. Respondents were asked “Have you or any other members of your family received Supplemental Security Income or SSI benefits at any time since we last interviewed you? Which family member or members received SSI benefits?” SSI benefits for self or any children are counted. At waves 2 and 3, respondents were asked if they or child receives SSI. Respondents were asked if they or their child were receiving “help from the Supplemental Security Income program, called SSI?” Respondents who anwersed “yes” were considered to have received SSI.
Earned Income Tax Credit Respondents were asked if they had received a tax refund. If they reported that they had, they were then asked, “Did you receive the Earned Income Tax Credit?” Those who responded yes are listed as having received the EITC. Since many respondents might receive the EITC as part of their refund and not realize the difference between the EITC and other tax provisions, this variable should be considered “perceived receipt of EITC.” Respondents were asked if they received the Earned Income Tax Credit for employment in the previous year. If they answered “yes” then respondent was considered to have received EITC. Did your family receive any money from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) since we last interviewed you? At waves 2 and 3, respondents were asked if as part of filing tax return they had filled out form to claim the EIC. Respondents were asked if they had filed a tax return last year. If they reported that they had, they were then asked, “The federal government allows parents who have jobs which pay less than about $25,000 a year to pay lower taxes. This special rule is called the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, and is available to families with children. Did you use this on your federal income tax return last year?” Those who responded yes are listed as having received the EITC.
Charity/emergency assistance “Many people need some kind of help for food or shelter from private charities, community groups like churches, soup kitchens, or place like that. Since (previous interview date) how often have you sought or received help from any of these groups or places - once a week or more, a few times a month, a few times a year, or never?” Respondents were coded as receiving charity/emergency assistance unless they answered “never.” Respondents were asked: “Since your last interview” (or, for wave 1, in the past year), “has there been a time when you went to a church or charity for clothes or help with a financial problem?” Respondents were also asked: “Since your last interview” (or, for wave 1, in the past year), “about how many times have you used a food pantry or soup kitchen because of a shortage of food or money?” Response options included “never,” “once or twice,” “3 to 5 times,” “6 to 10 times,” “11 to 20 times,” and “more than 20 times.” Respondents who answered “yes” to the first question or who answered more than “once or twice” to the second question were considered to have received charity and emergency assistance. Respondent answered “yes” to any of the following questions: Wave 1: Have you and your family received help in the form of money or other goods like food or clothing from churches, community? Wave 2: Has your family received money from churches, neighborhood centers or community agencies at any time since the last interview? Has your family received other goods like food or clothing from churches, neighborhood centers or community agencies, including any help you received from food pantries, at any time since the last interview? Wave 3: Did food pantries, churches, community agencies, or neighborhood centers ever give you food to feed your family since we last interviewed you? Did churches, community agencies, or neighborhood centers ever give you or your children clothes to wear since we last interviewed you? Did churches, community agencies, or neighborhood centers ever provide a place for your family to stay since we last interviewed you? Has your family received any money from churches, community agencies, or neighborhood centers since we last interviewed you, including money that was used to pay for your rent or an electric, heating or telephone bill? At waves 2 and 3, respondent reported receiving free food or meals in past 12 months because there wasn’t enough money. Respondents were asked two questions: “Have you or your child received free clothing from a church or other organization in the past 30 days?” and Have you or your child received emergency food from a church, food pantry, or food bank in the past 30 days?” Respondents who answered “yes” to either question were considered to have received charity and emergency assistance.
Housing hardship Respondents were asked “Has your gas or electricity been turned off since (last interview date) because you couldn’t afford to pay the bill?”; “Have you been evicted since (last interview date)?” and; Have you ever been homeless since (last interview date)? “Housing hardship” is coded “1” if a respondent answers “yes” to any one of these three items. Respondents were asked: “Since your last interview” (or for wave 1, in the past year), “has there been a time when you had service turned off by the gas or electric company, or the oil company wouldn’t deliver oil because payments were not made?”; “Since your last interview” (or for wave 1, in the past year), “has there been a time when you were evicted from your home or apartment for not paying the rent or mortgage?”; “Since your last interview” (or for wave 1, in the past year), “has there been a period of more than 2 days that you: (1) stayed at a homeless shelter or domestic violence shelter, (2) lived in a care or other vehicle, (3) lived in an abandoned building, (4) lived “on the streets,” and (5) stayed with a friend or relative for less than 2 weeks because you had nowhere else to go?” Respondents who responded “yes” to any of these items were considered to experience housing hardship. Was there ever a time (during the past 12 months/since the last interview) when (1) you could not pay your rent or mortgage because you did not have enough money; (2) you were evicted or lost your house because you did not have enough money to pay the rent or mortgage; (3) your telephone service was shut off because you did not have enough money to pay your bill; (4) your gas or electricity was shut off because you did not have enough money to pay your bill; (5) you were homeless (i.e., living in any of the following places: in a homeless shelter, a motel room, on the streets, in a car or other vehicle, in an abandoned building, or at a camping ground); or (6) you and your child(ren) moved in with family or friends because you had no other place to live? At waves 2 and 3, respondent reported that could not pay full amount of rent, mortgage, gas, oil or electricity bills; or were evicted or had gas/electric or phone turned off because of non-payment; moved in with others because of financial problems; stayed in a shelter or other place not meant for regular housing for at least one night. Respondents were asked “In the past 2 years, were you forced to move from a residence or home because you could not afford the rent or mortgage?” Caregivers who responded “yes” were considered to have experienced housing hardship.
Food hardship Respondents were asked “Which of these statements best describes the food eaten in your household in the last 12 months: enough to eat, sometimes not enough to eat, often not enough to eat.” If a respondent answered “sometimes” or “often” not enough to eat, she was coded as having a food insufficiency problem. The food hardship variable was created using 5 items from the USDA food security scale: (e.g., “In the past year, how often did you cut the size of your meals or skip meals because there wasn’t enough money for food?”). If respondents answered “sometimes” or “often” to any of the five items, then the respondent was coded as experiencing food hardship. Food hardship was assessed using fifteen of the eighteen items that comprise the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) measure of food insecurity. Study participants who responded affirmatively to three or more of the items were counted as food insecure. At wave 2, respondent reported that self or child/ren went hungry because there wasn’t enough money. The food hardship variable was created using 7 items from the USDA food security scale: (e.g., “In the past year, how often did you cut the size of your meals or skip meals because there wasn’t enough money for food?”). If respondents answered affirmatively to any of the 7 items, then the respondent was coded as experiencing food hardship.
Unmet health care needs Respondents were asked “Was there any time since (last interview date) that you needed to see a doctor or dentist but could not afford to go?” If a respondent answered “yes” to this question she was considered to have unmet health care needs. Respondents were asked: “Since your last interview” (or, for wave 1, in the past year), “has there been a time when you or your children (1) needed to see a doctor or go to the hospital but couldn’t afford to; (2) needed to fill a prescription for medicine but couldn’t afford to fill it; or (3) needed to see a dentist but couldn’t afford to go?” If respondent answered “yes” to any of these items, then the respondent was considered to have unmet health care needs. Has there ever been a time (during the past 12 months/since the last interview) when (focal child) did not get medical care when you thought she/he needed it? Has there ever been a time (during the past 12 months/since the last interview) when you did not get medical care when you thought you needed it? At waves 2 and 3, respondent reported that someone in household did not go to doctor or hospital because they could not afford it. Respondents were asked “In the past 12 months, was there any time when you needed medical care but did not get it because you could not afford it?” “In the past 12 months, was there any time when (child) needed medical care but did not get it because you could not afford it?” If a respondent answered “yes” to either of these questions, she was considered to have unmet health care needs.
Perceived economic well-being Respondents were asked “How difficult is it for you to live on your total household income right now? If a respondent answered “not difficult” or “a little difficult” she was considered to perceive her economic well- being as good.” Respondent were asked how much they agreed or disagreed with the following statement. “These days I can generally afford to buy the things we need.” If respondent answered “somewhat agree,” or “strongly agree.” Then, they were considered to perceive their economic well-being as good. Respondent describes family’s current financial situation as either “has just enough money to meet your basic needs” or “has enough money to meet your basic needs as well as a little extra.” At wave 1, respondent reported having “just enough” money or “some left over” at the end of the month. At wave 3, respondent reported cutting back on clothes for self because there wasn’t enough money. Respondents were asked the following statement. “Thinking about the end of each month over the past 12 months, did your up with?” Answers of “More than enough left over” or Some money left over” were considered to perceive “good” economic well- being.
Resides with extended family Whether respondent’s mother or father is present in the household. Respondents were asked to report all individuals who resided with them in their current residence at each survey wave. Respondents also reported their relationship to each household member. Respondents who reported living with their parent were coded as residing with extended family. What is your current housing situation? Respondent answered “living in a house or apartment that a relative or friend rents or owns.” Respondent reported that own or spouse/partner’s mother or father resided with them. Respondents were asked to report all individuals who resided with them in their current residence at each survey wave. Respondents also reported their relationship to each household member. Respondents who reported living with their natural parent, adoptive parent, step-parent, foster parent, natural sibling, adoptive sibling, step-sibling, foster sibling, brother/sister-in- law, maternal grandparent, paternal grandparent, grandchild, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin, or other blood relative were coded as residing with extended family.