Podcast Summary
Research on Low Wage Workers During the Pandemic: Stable work schedules and government interventions, like expanded unemployment insurance, are crucial for supporting low wage workers and their families during economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant economic instability for low wage working families in the US, with millions losing jobs and facing unpredictable work schedules and incomes. This instability has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only workers themselves but also their families, children, and entire communities. Research conducted by doctor Anna Gassman Pines and her team followed a group of hourly service workers in Philadelphia, who were recruited before the pandemic for a study on unpredictable work schedules and their impact on family well-being. With the implementation of a new policy regulating work schedules in the city, the researchers were able to examine how this intervention affected working conditions and family well-being during the pandemic. The findings highlight the importance of stable work schedules and government interventions, such as expanded unemployment insurance, in supporting low wage workers and their families during economic uncertainty. Overall, the research underscores the need for policies that address the unique challenges faced by low wage workers and promote work-life balance to improve family well-being.
Declines in children's mental health during pandemic, particularly for families facing hardships: Government programs like expanded unemployment insurance, SNAP benefits, and child tax credit improved mental health outcomes for families facing income losses and hardships during the pandemic
The early phase of the pandemic led to significant declines in both parents' and children's mental health. Parents reported their children were more uncooperative and seemed more worried or sad. This was particularly true for families experiencing multiple pandemic-related hardships, such as job loss, income loss, and illness. However, government programs like expanded unemployment insurance, SNAP benefits, and the child tax credit made a significant difference. These policies buffered large income losses and reduced material hardship for families, leading to improved mental health outcomes.
Government support reduces stress and improves mental health: Regular and consistent government support, especially addressing material hardships, reduces financial stress and promotes overall well-being, particularly for those who have been laid off. Timing and frequency matter, with monthly benefits shown to be effective, but instability can negatively impact academic performance.
Government supports, particularly those that address material hardships like food insecurity and housing costs, can significantly reduce stress and improve mental health, especially for those who have been laid off. The timing and frequency of these benefits also matter. For instance, monthly child tax credits have been shown to reduce financial distress and improve children's test scores. However, benefits like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) may not last the entire month, leading to increased worry and reliance on other sources of assistance in the second half. This instability can negatively impact children's academic performance. Overall, regular and consistent government support is crucial for alleviating financial stress and promoting overall well-being.
Pandemic exposed challenges in accessing essential benefits programs: The pandemic highlighted the need for simpler, more user-friendly government programs to make essential benefits accessible to those who need them most.
The pandemic highlighted and exacerbated existing challenges in accessing essential benefits programs for those who need them most. School closures led to increased food insecurity for low-income families, and while policy changes aimed to address this, the initial need for food assistance went unmet. Similarly, the unemployment insurance system, designed to be difficult to access, proved particularly challenging during mass layoffs. The pandemic exposed the need for simpler, more user-friendly government programs. While advocates and some legislators have been working to address these issues, more action is needed to make essential benefits programs more accessible to those who need them most.
Impact of job loss on entire communities: Job loss can lead to economic strain for families, uncertainty for youth, and negative impacts on education and mental health in entire communities.
Job loss in a community can have far-reaching consequences beyond the affected workers. During the pandemic, many have witnessed firsthand how large-scale layoffs can impact entire communities, affecting not only those who lost jobs but also their families, peers, and local businesses. For instance, in communities with a significant number of textile mill workers, job losses led to economic strain for families and uncertainty for youth about their future opportunities. Additionally, job loss has been linked to negative impacts on college attendance, children's test scores, and even suicide rates, particularly for adolescents. These findings underscore the importance of considering the ripple effects of job loss on entire communities and developing programs and policies to support those affected.
Impact of community-wide job losses on adolescents: Community-wide job losses during adolescence can negatively affect test scores, college attendance, mental health, and increase suicide ideation, especially for girls. Unpredictable work schedules add to the complexity.
Adolescence is a critical period of identity formation and goal setting, but community-wide job losses during this time can negatively impact young people in various ways. Research shows that test scores decrease, college attendance becomes less likely, particularly for low-income adolescents, and mental health issues, especially suicide ideation, increase, particularly for girls. Unpredictable work schedules, common among low-wage service workers, further complicate matters by causing frequent changes to family life and childcare arrangements. These findings underscore the importance of stable employment and supportive communities during adolescence to foster healthy development and future success.
Work schedule changes cause stress for parents: Fair Workweek laws help reduce unstable work schedules, improving predictability and stability for parents
Unexpected changes to work schedules can cause significant stress for parents, leading to worse moods and sleep quality. According to research, parents report feeling much worse on days when their work schedules are altered compared to days when they follow the original schedule. This issue is particularly common and can result in numerous challenges, including finding childcare. The Fair Workweek laws, such as the one in Emeryville, California, aim to address these problems by requiring large employers to provide their workers with a certain amount of advance notice of their schedules. These laws have been effective in reducing instances of unstable work schedules in larger businesses, making them more predictable and stable for employees.
Fair compensation for schedule changes crucial for low-wage workers: Employers should compensate low-wage workers fairly for schedule changes to support their financial stability and minimize mental health impacts. Sticking to posted schedules may help reduce associated costs.
Employers need to compensate employees fairly when making schedule changes, as these changes can significantly impact employees' personal plans and financial stability. This is particularly important for low-wage workers who often live paycheck to paycheck and face greater instability in their work schedules. Additionally, research suggests that inflation, which can make meeting basic needs more difficult, may have a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of low-income individuals. Employers who want to minimize schedule changes and associated compensation costs may find that sticking to posted schedules is a more effective strategy. The ongoing research on families' experiences during the pandemic will provide further insights into the challenges they faced and the impact of unconventional policies on their lives.
Exploring the Future of Research on Low-Income Families: Researchers aim to provide a more stable future for low-income families by reflecting on past lessons and paving a new path forward, strengthening the safety net for those in need.
Key takeaway from this episode of Speaking of Psychology is that ongoing research, as discussed with Dr. Gassman Pines, aims to provide a more stable and predictable future for low-income families. By reflecting on the lessons learned over the past two and a half years, researchers hope to pave a new path forward, strengthening the safety net for those in need. This research holds significant potential in addressing the challenges faced by low-income families and improving their overall well-being. Remember, you can find previous episodes and subscribe to Speaking of Psychology on various platforms, including our website at www.speakingofpsychology.com or Apple, Stitcher, and other podcast providers. If you enjoy our content, please leave a review and share your thoughts or suggestions for future episodes by emailing us at speakingofpsychology@apa.org. Speaking of Psychology is produced by Lee Winerman, and our sound editing is by Chris Kundian. Thank you for tuning in, and for the American Psychological Association, I'm Kim Mills.
