Table 1.
Sample Characteristics by Family Economic Trajectory
| Characteristic | Whole Sample (N=328) | Stable Low Income (n=134) | Downward Mobility (n=101) | Deepening Poverty (n=80) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % or M (SD) | % or M (SD) | % or M (SD) | % or M (SD) | |
| Subject age in 2007 (y) | 16.60 (0.51) | 16.55 (0.51) | 16.61 (0.51) | 16.65 (0.51) |
| Subject sex (female) | 59.5% | 59.0% | 59.4% | 58.7% |
| Parent age in 2007 (y) | 43.38 (7.61) | 42.14 (6.35) | 43.84 (8.56) | 44.30 (7.73) |
| Parent education (<high school) | 22.3% | 14.2% | 19.0% | 41.2% |
| Parent education (high school or GED) | 30.6% | 22.4% | 39.0% | 36.2% |
| Parent education (≥college graduate) | 6.7% | 11.2% | 3.0% | 3.8% |
| Income‐to‐needs ratio in 2007 | 1.73 (2.98) | 2.23 (3.05) | 1.96 (3.88) | 0.79 (0.73) |
| Income‐to‐needs ratio in 2010 | 1.15 (1.10) | 1.78 (1.28) | 0.77 (0.71) | 0.51 (0.50) |
| Receipt of TANF in 2007 | 18 (5.5%) | 4 (3.0%) | 2 (2.0%) | 10 (12.5%) |
| Receipt of TANF in 2010 | 91 (27.7%) | 16 (11.9%) | 36 (35.6%) | 35 (43.8%) |
| Unemployment in 2007 | 80 (24.4%) | 12 (9.0%) | 20 (20.0%) | 40 (50.0%) |
| Unemployment in 2010 | 110 (33.5%) | 10 (7.5%) | 48 (47.5%) | 50 (62.5%) |
| Adequacy of income in 2007 (1–5) | 3.01 (1.20) | 3.58 (1.04) | 3.18 (1.04) | 1.91 (0.85) |
| Adequacy of income in 2010 (1–5) | 2.18 (0.98) | 2.78 (0.77) | 1.74 (0.76) | 1.66 (0.98) |
| Unmet material needs in 2007 (4–16) | 9.16 (3.01) | 7.68 (2.32) | 8.74 (2.68) | 11.76 (2.44) |
| Unmet material needs in 2010 (4–16) | 10.46 (2.84) | 8.60 (2.14) | 11.27 (2.42) | 12.73 (2.17) |
| Cannot make ends meet in 2007 (2–10) | 5.14 (2.25) | 4.01 (1.78) | 4.78 (1.68) | 7.44 (1.89) |
| Cannot make ends meet in 2010 (2–10) | 6.31 (2.11) | 4.93 (1.58) | 7.18 (1.89) | 7.70 (1.75) |
Whole sample column includes values for 13 families who experienced upward mobility, but were not analyzed further. TANF indicates Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a federal program that provides financial assistance for families with dependent children.