MAG 2025. Authors: Pavel Cizek (Tilburg University – Tilburg School of Economics and Management), Franka Schellekens (Tilburg University – Tilburg School of Economics and Management)
Children’s early development lays foundation for their future health, education, and wellbeing. Both cognitive skills (such as memory and problem-solving) and non-cognitive skills (such as perseverance and self-control) develop rapidly during the first years of life. Families play a crucial role in supporting this growth, but financial difficulties can make it harder for parents to adequately invest time and resources in their children. In this project, we study how periods of financial stress, such as unemployment or debt, influence children’s development through parental investments. We will combine two data sources: the YOUth cohort study, which is a longitudinal study by Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht on development of the brain and behavior of children, and CBS data, which provides detailed household financial information. By linking these sources, we aim to understand how financial stress affects children’s development, and to provide insights for policies that can support families during difficult times.
Photo by Anna Mysłowska-Kiczek on Unsplash