Richard J. Petts

Exposure to violence in adolescence and precocious role exits

Exposure to violence is a serious public health concern that compromises adolescents by affecting their behavior and psychological well-being. The current study advances knowledge about the consequences of exposure to violence in adolescence by applying a life course perspective to evaluate the developmental implications of adolescents’ exposure to violence. In particular, drawing on a sample of 11,949 school-aged adolescents in the U.S., we examine whether exposure to violence in adolescence is associated with precocious role exits that some adolescents experience. Exposure to violence is conceptualized as including both direct (i.e., experiencing physical victimization) and indirect exposure (i.e., witnessing others’ victimization). Three types of direct exposure to violence are examined: street, intimate partner, and family victimization, as well as four types of indirect exposure including: street, peer, and school violence as well as exposure to family/friend suicide. Using three waves of longitudinal data from the Add Health Study, we find that exposure to violence is associated with greater risks of running away from home, dropping out of high school, having a child, attempting suicide, and coming into contact with the criminal justice system in later adolescence. In addition, risks depend upon the relational context in which the exposure to violence occurred, risks increase with greater exposure to violence, and risks are, for the most part, highest for those youth exposed to both indirect and direct violence in adolescence.

Family and Religious Characteristics' Influence on Delinquency Trajectories from Adolescence to Young Adulthood

This study takes a life-course approach to examine whether family and religious characteristics influence individual-level delinquency trajectories from early adolescence through young adulthood. Based on data from the NLSY79, results suggest that residing with two parents deters youths from becoming delinquent and that supportive parenting practices reduce their likelihood of becoming involved in delinquent behavior early in adolescence. There is also evidence that family and religion interact to predict delinquency trajectories. Religion enhances the effect of parental affection in deterring delinquent behavior and mitigates the increased risk of high levels of delinquent behavior among youths in single-parent families. Moreover, the findings indicate that delinquency trajectories are not immutable; family transitions are associated with increases in delinquency, but religious participation throughout adolescence and marriage are associated with declines in delinquent behavior. Overall, results suggest that family and religious characteristics continually influence the extent to which youths commit delinquent acts.

Paternity Leave-Taking and Father Engagement: Paternity Leave and Father Engagement

Evidence suggests that paternity leave-taking is associated with higher levels of father involvement, but research has been limited in its focus on cross-sectional analyses and indicators of father involvement used. This study utilizes national longitudinal data to examine whether paternity leave-taking is associated with two indicators of father engagement when children are infants, whether paternity leave-taking is associated with trajectories of father engagement during the first few years of a childs life, and whether the relationships between paternity leave and father engagement are explained by fathering commitments and attitudes. Results suggest that longer periods of leave are associated with more frequent engagement in developmental tasks and caretaking when children are infants as well as during the first few years of childrens lives. There is also evidence that father attitudes partially explain the relationships between length of paternity leave and father engagement.

Paid paternity leave-taking in the United States

ABSTRACT Surprisingly few studies have focused on paternity leave-taking in the US. This study utilizes data from three national datasets to provide a comprehensive examination of the attitudes, practices and predictors of paid paternity leave-taking in the US. Specifically, this study focuses on (a) describing attitudes towards fathers receiving a share of paid parental leave, (b) describing rates and lengths of paid paternity leave-taking and (c) analyzing the extent to which economic capital, cultural capital, social capital and father identities predict paternity leave-taking practices. The results indicate that most people support fathers receiving a share of paid parental leave in the US. Yet, rates of paid paternity leave-taking are relatively low and the majority of fathers who take paid leave take only one week or less. Economic capital, cultural capital, social capital and father identities that prioritize engaged fathering are positively associated with taking paid leave and taking longer periods of leave. Overall, the results emphasize that the current structure of US paternity leave policies seems to limit access to paid paternity leave and contribute to patterns of inequality due to more advantaged fathers having greater access and ability to take paid paternity leave than less advantaged fathers.

Religious homogamy, race/ethnicity, and parents’ relationship stability

ABSTRACT Many studies have explored the link between religious homogamy and marital stability, but little is known about the role of religious homogamy within cohabiting unions. Using data on 2,019 couples from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, this study examined the influence of religious homogamy on the stability of marital and cohabiting relationships among parents as well as whether race/ethnicity moderated this relationship. Life-table estimates suggest that denominational homogamy and attendance homogamy were unrelated to marital stability, but denominational homogamy was positively associated with the stability of cohabiting unions. Results also suggest that frequent attendance at religious services by both partners was more likely to contribute to relationship stability among Hispanic cohabiters than cohabiters from other racial/ethnic groups. Overall, this study suggests that the relationship between religious homogamy and relationship stability may vary by race/ethnicity and union type.

Time Off After Childbirth and Mothers’ Risk of Depression, Parenting Stress, and Parenting Practices:

There has been increased interest in U.S. parental leave policies, but relatively few studies have focused on how such policies may influence mothers’ well-being and parenting. This study addresses this gap by using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine factors that predict the amount of time mothers take off work following childbirth and whether length of time off is associated with mothers’ risk of depression, parenting stress, and parenting practices. Results suggest that the majority of disadvantaged mothers take 3 months or less off from work after childbirth. Results also suggest that taking a month or less off work is associated with increased parenting stress, an increased risk of depression, and an increased likelihood of spanking relative to mothers who took more time off. Results also suggest that longer periods of time off are associated with more frequent engagement in developmental activities with the child.