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Cited by 168Urban, Neighborhood, and Segregation StudiesChild Welfare and AdoptionHomelessness and Social Issues

Residential Mobility and Youth Well-Being: Research, Policy, and Practice Issues

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Scanlon, Edward, Devine, Kevin·2001·The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare
DOI 10.15453/0191-5096.2708
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Abstract

Despite an extensive body of sociological work suggesting that residential mobility reduces child well-being, the subject of relocation has been largely overlooked in social work and social welfare literature. Recent social policies threaten to increase the incidence of moving among low-income families in the United States. This paper reviews theoretical and empirical literature in this area and finds evidence that residential mobility reduces children's academic functioning, and may negatively affect other aspects of child well-being. These effects are especially strong for poor children from single parent families, making this issue of particular relevance for social work. The authors suggest implications for future research, propose policies to increase residential stability, and provide directions for social work practice with mobile children.

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  • Homeless or highly mobile status adds risk to developmental outcomes beyond the risk associated with poverty in general.

    “Perhaps because of an accumulation of risk factors or due to the disruption of the experience itself, HHM-status represents additional risk to developmental outcomes beyond those associated with poverty more generally (Rafferty & Shinn, 1991; Scanlon & Devine, 2001).”

    From Academic Achievement Trajectories of Homeless and Highly Mobile Students: Resilience in the Context of Chronic and Acute Risk (2013) · cites this paper as Scanlon & Devine, 2001

    The Discussion (indexed under Introduction; page unavailable) says socioeconomic status moderates but does not eliminate the academic effects of residential mobility, supporting additional risk beyond poverty for highly mobile youth. The paper does not establish the same claim for homelessness specifically, and its Conclusions describe psychosocial effects more cautiously as possible. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Residential mobility is a risk factor for lower academic achievement in low-income groups beyond the effects of poverty.

    “How this risk operates is still a matter for further research, but residential mobility is a risk factor for lower academic achievement in low-income groups, beyond the effects of poverty (Scanlon & Devine, 2001).”

    From Academic Achievement Trajectories of Homeless and Highly Mobile Students: Resilience in the Context of Chronic and Acute Risk (2013) · cites this paper as Scanlon & Devine, 2001

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 37

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  4. Benson, G & Weigel, D. (1980). Ninth grade adjustment and achievement as related to mobility. Educational Research Quarterly, 5, (4), 15-19.
  5. Blane, D., Pilling, D. & Fogelman, K. (1985). The use of longitudinal data in a study of children's school mobility and attainment. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 55, (3), 310-313.
  6. Brett, J. (1982). Job transfer and well-being. Journal of Applied Psychology, 67, 450-463.
  7. Brown, A. & Orthner, D. (1990). Relocation and personal well-being among adolescents. Journal of Early Adolescence, 10, (3), 366-381.
  8. Coleman, J. (1988). Social capital in the creation of human capital. American Journal of Sociology, 94, S95-S120.
  9. Entwisle, D., Alexander, K., & Olson, L. (1997). Children, schools, and inequality. Boulder, CO: Westview Press
  10. Felner, R. & Primavera, J. & Cauce, A. (1981). The impact of school transitions: A focus for prevention efforts. American Journal of Psychology, 9, 449-458.
  11. Frazier, I. (1970). Relationships of pupil mobility to reading achievement and in- telligence test results of educationally disadvantaged children. Dissertation Abstracts International, 31, 1508-1509.
  12. Gottlieb, J. & Weinberg, S. (1999). Comparison of students referred and not referred for special education. The Elementary School Journal, 99, 3, 187-199.
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Cited by

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Authors
Scanlon, E., & Devine, K.
Affiliations
  • University of Washington (US)
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs (US)
Venue
The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare
Publisher
Western Michigan University - DIGITAL COMMONS
Published
2001-03-01
Volume
28
Issue
1
ISSN
0191-5096 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.15453/0191-5096.2708
OpenAlex
W816337984
Cited by
168
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 12
FWCI
6.89
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare (publishedVersion)
  • ScholarWorks - WMU (Western Michigan University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Urban, Neighborhood, and Segregation Studies
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Homelessness and Social Issues
Keywords
residential mobility, residential stability, child well-being, academic performance, low-income households, single-parent families, poverty, social policy, social work practice, relocation

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