# THE DEMOGRAPHY OF MINORITY UNDEREMPLOYMENT

> **NIH NIH R01** · NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER · 1992 · $116,624

## Abstract

This study proposes to analyze the 1984, 1985 and 1986 Panels of the Survey
of Income and Program Participation to examine the labor force behavior of
blacks, Hispanics and other whites from a dynamic and comparative
perspective.  Four general aims include:

1.  Classifying and Documenting Minority Labor Force Experiences

This descriptive goal entails developing a classification for prior labor
force experience and current position which represents different levels of
labor market attachment and stable versus unstable activity as well as
stable inactivity.  Subsequently we will a) document aggregate flows
between these categories based on panel-type descriptions; b) describe
individual-level duration and spell data across labor force statuses; and
decompose cross-sectional rates of unemployment and labor force
participation by experience and position statuses.

2.  Analyses of Labor Force Transitions

Using hazard rate methods to model the transitions between labor force
statuses, propose to analyze the determinants of changes in work effort and
determine transitions into unemployment and joblessness vary with
individual, familial and, appropriate, labor market conditions and job
characteristics.  Both prospective retrospective data will be analyzed, and
results compared.

3.  Consequences of Minority Unemployment and Underemployment

We will assess the economic costs of unemployment and underemployment by a)
calibrating the difference between expected and reported earnings; b)
mapping transitions in labor market statuses of individuals against changes
in economic status and welfare participation of families.

4.  Methodological Contributions

Aims 1 - 3 have substantial methodological implications, including a)
development of classification schemes that distinguish between chronic and
transitory joblessness; b) reconciliation of results based on prospective
and retrospective data; c) devising strategies to demarcate entry and exit
from labor force states while taking into account left and right censoring.
In addition, we propose a battery of sensitivity tests and strategies to
deal with selection, attrition and seam transitions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2199641
- **Project number:** 5R01HD025588-03
- **Recipient organization:** NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MPYFY5UMSDP4
- **Principal Investigator:** MARTA TIENDA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $116,624
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1990-08-01 → 1994-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2199641

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2199641, THE DEMOGRAPHY OF MINORITY UNDEREMPLOYMENT (5R01HD025588-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2199641. Licensed CC0.

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