Thesis
The effect of paid family leave policy in California on low birth weight outcomes
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
08/2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000004144
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/125120
Abstract
Objective: This study examined the relationship between Paid Family Leave (PFL) Policy in California and low birth weight outcomes. PFL is considered as an extension of the existing Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) Policy in California which provides an additional 6 weeks of paid leave to new mothers. Methods: I used birth data recorded on the National Vital Statistics System from 2001 to 2007 and collapsed it to obtain low birth weight birth percentage in each state by a specific month-year. I employed Difference-in-Difference framework with state and time fixed effects to estimate the treatment effect of the policy in California. Result: Compared to California contiguous states, low birth weight birth instances in California decreased by more than 2.39% after the implementation of PFL. A similar result was found when states without a TDI policy were used as the control group. However, for states with a TDI policy in place, the effect of PFL was smaller. In all three models, the coefficients were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: There was no evidence that PFL had a significant impact on low birth weight. Future research on this subject should consider incorporating mother's income and neighboring characteristics in the model.
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Details
- Title
- The effect of paid family leave policy in California on low birth weight outcomes
- Creators
- Nhat Thi Hong Le
- Contributors
- Bidisha Mandal (Advisor) - Washington State University, Economic Sciences, School of
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Economic Sciences, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Identifiers
- 99900890779701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis