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Human Capital, Social Support, and Economic Well-being among Rural, Low-income Mothers: A Latent Growth Curve Analysis

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to better understand human capital and social support in the long-term economic well-being of rural, low-income mothers in the US. Three waves of data from a multi-state, longitudinal investigation tracking the well-being of rural families, known as “Rural Families Speak,” were used to test two latent growth curve models of economic well-being. Results indicated that human capital alone is not a good predictor of economic well-being over time for this sample. A model of economic well-being that includes both social support and human capital provides a better fit for these data. Findings suggest that social support is a key contributor to long-term economic success for this sample. Implications for public policy are presented.

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Notes

  1. For more information, see the project website: http://www.ruralfamilies.umn.edu/ and Project Basebook by J. W. Bauer (2004).

  2. Cooperating states were: California, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon and Wyoming.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by USDA/CSREES/NRICGP Grants—2001-35401-10215, 2002-35401-11591, 2004-35401-14938. Data were collected in conjunction with the cooperative multi state research project NC-223/NC-1011 Rural Low-income families: Tracking Their Well-being and Functioning in the Context of Welfare Reform.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Studies, University of Kentucky, 315 Funkhouser Building, Lexington, KY, 40506-0054, USA

    Leigh Ann Simmons

  2. Department of Family Studies, University of Maryland, 1204 Marie Mount Hall – Office 1210H, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Bonnie Braun

  3. Department of Child and Family Development, University of Georgia, 123 Dawson Hall, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    David W. Wright

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Chrysler Hall South, Room 173, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, USA

    Scott R. Miller

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  1. Leigh Ann Simmons
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Correspondence to Leigh Ann Simmons.

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Simmons, L.A., Braun, B., Wright, D.W. et al. Human Capital, Social Support, and Economic Well-being among Rural, Low-income Mothers: A Latent Growth Curve Analysis. J Fam Econ Iss 28, 635–652 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-007-9079-2

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