Essays on family, education, and public health policies

Nippler, Grant

Thesis

Essays on family, education, and public health policies

Download PDF

Creator

Nippler, Grant

Rights statement

Strathclyde Thesis Copyright

Awarding institution

University of Strathclyde

Date of award

2025

Thesis identifier

T17353

Person Identifier (Local)

202194925

Qualification Level

Doctoral (Postgraduate)

Qualification Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department, School or Faculty

Department of Economics

Abstract

This thesis consists of three self-contained essays in applied microeconomics. Chapter two investigates the effects of UK austerity measures on individuals and families using data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. By applying difference-in-differences and event study models, I find that austerity significantly increased parental employment and reduced unemployment. However, we present suggestive evidence showing that mothers may have experienced a 20 percentage point drop in income, amounting to £182 per month, while fathers’ incomes were unaffected. These gendered income changes shaped relationship dynamics, with mothers showing a decline in divorce rates and an increase in new cohabitations, patterns not observed among fathers. Austerity also reduced parent-child interaction, as time was reallocated to meet rising labor demands. By examining the effects of benefit reduction policies, this paper adds to the literature by demonstrating their far-reaching implications for labor markets, family relationships, and inner household relationships. Chapter three examines the 2016 school reform policies implemented by the Oklahoma City School District, which sought to replace exclusionary discipline practices with more inclusive approaches. Using a Synthetic Difference-in-Differences model, I analyse school administrative records alongside FBI crime data. The reforms resulted in a 50 percent drop in school suspensions, improvements in math and science scores, mixed effects on reading performance, and a 22.8 percent reduction in youth arrests. These findings highlight the trade-offs between academic outcomes and broader youth impacts, showing how inclusive policies can shape both classroom and community dynamics. This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence on the short term effects of discipline reforms on student achievement and juvenile justice outcomes. Chapter four estimates the impact of supervised consumption sites (SCS) on opioid related emergency callouts, crime, and mental health incidents, using neighborhood-level data from the Toronto Police. By a difference-in-differences approach, I analyse the staggered implementation of 10 Health Canada-approved SCS in Toronto between 2017 and 2021. The results show no significant changes in overdose callouts, assault rates, or mental health apprehensions, though a rise in break-ins near SCS locations is observed. These findings suggest that SCS do not substantially reduce emergency service demands or mental health issues but may bring localised property crime concerns. This study contributes to understanding the trade-offs of SCS and emphasizes the importance of embedding them in broader public health strategies that address community-level impacts.

Advisor / supervisor