Little is known about the effect of incongruity between perception of, or belief in, the availability of support and actual receipt of support during a time of need. This article examines associations between belief in the future availability of instrumental support (e.g., child care, temporary housing, and financial assistance), subsequent…

This study evaluated the functioning of 20 lower class mothers who had participated in the Project Know How (PKH) child care and family life education program at Florida State University. They were compared with control groups of 20 lower class (LCC) and 20 middle class (MCC) mothers on cognitive complexity or ability, interpersonal competence,…

As welfare-to-work reforms increase women's labor market attachment, the lives of their young children are likely to change. This note draws on a random-assignment experiment in Connecticut to ask whether mothers' rising employment levels and program participation are associated with changes in young children's early learning and cognitive growth.…