RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Impact of Paid Family Leave on Families with Health Shocks
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 1223-13279R1
DO 10.3368/jhr.1223-13279R1
A1 Coile, Courtney
A1 Rossin-Slater, Maya
A1 Su, Amanda
YR 2025
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2025/05/05/jhr.1223-13279R1.abstract
AB We study the impact of paid family leave (PFL) policies on individuals’ labor market and mental health-related responses to their spouses’ and children’s health shocks using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and event-study models. We find that PFL access improves job continuity among wives of individuals who are hospitalized or have surgery. Additionally, while PFL access does not affect the wives’ self-reported mental health, it reduces their use of mental health-related medication. We find no effects of PFL on parents of children who experience health shocks, suggesting that this policy is less fitting for this group of caregivers.