Family Structure Transitions and Adolescent Well-Being

Crystal M. Stephens, Ohio State University
Lisa Nicholson, Ohio State University
Chris Knoester, Ohio State University

This study examines the short-term effects of family structure transitions on adolescent well-being, as measured by depression, delinquency, and grade point average. We use data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) and incorporate both a stress and life-course perspective. We first ask if the impact of family structure transitions affects adolescent well-being differently, depending on the number of parents in the household. Second, we ask, are adolescents transitioning into cohabiting family structures worse off than those transitioning into a married family structure? Finally, do adolescents transitioning into or out of single mother homes significantly differ from those transitioning into or out of single father homes? Do female or male adolescents fare better with respect to the impact of family structure transitions on adolescent well-being? Preliminary results suggest that family structure transitions do indeed differentially affect adolescent well-being, depending on the specific type of transition.