TY - JOUR T1 - Economic Crises, Social Protection Policies and the Transformation of Family Structures in the European Union: Panel Data Analysis TT - Avrupa Birliğinde Ekonomik Krizler, Sosyal Koruma Politikaları ve Aile Yapılarının Dönüşümü: Panel Veri Analizi AU - Seyhan, Burak PY - 2025 DA - October Y2 - 2025 DO - 10.32709/akusosbil.1718450 JF - Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi JO - AKÜSBD PB - Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi WT - DergiPark SN - 1302-1265 SP - 234 EP - 253 VL - 27 IS - Aile Özel Sayısı LA - en AB - This study investigates the impact of economic crises on the transformation of family structures in European Union (EU) countries through a panel data analysis approach. The divorce rate is used as the dependent variable, while the unemployment rate, real GDP per capita, and social protection expenditures are treated as independent variables. The analysis is based on a balanced panel dataset covering 27 EU member states over the period 1995 to 2022. The study applies several econometric tests including cross-sectional dependence, slope homogeneity, panel unit root, panel cointegration, and long-run estimations (FMOLS, DOLS, OLS). Additionally, panel Granger causality tests are conducted to examine the directionality of relationships between variables. Empirical findings suggest that an increase in unemployment significantly raises divorce rates, while higher social protection spending reduces them. Real GDP per capita is also found to have a statistically significant and positive effect on divorce. The causality results reveal both bidirectional and unidirectional relationships across variables. These outcomes imply that economic instability tends to weaken family cohesion, whereas well-designed social welfare policies act as a stabilizing force. Accordingly, the study emphasizes the critical importance of strengthening social protection systems and adopting employment-centered macroeconomic strategies to ensure the sustainability of family structures within the EU. KW - Family structure KW - economic crisis KW - social protection KW - panel data analysis KW - European Union N2 - Bu araştırma, Avrupa Birliği (AB) ülkelerinde ekonomik krizlerin aile yapılarındaki dönüşüm üzerindeki etkisini panel veri yöntemiyle incelemektedir. Çalışmada bağımlı değişken olarak boşanma oranı kullanılırken; işsizlik oranı, kişi başına reel gayrisafi yurt içi hasıla (GSYH) ve sosyal koruma harcamaları bağımsız değişkenler olarak belirlenmiştir. 1995–2022 dönemine ait 27 AB ülkesini kapsayan panel veri seti kullanılarak yatay kesit bağımlılığı testi, katsayı homojenliği testi, panel birim kök testleri, panel eşbütünleşme analizleri ve uzun dönem katsayı tahminleri (FMOLS, DOLS, OLS) gerçekleştirilmiştir. Ayrıca nedensellik ilişkilerini test etmek amacıyla panel Granger nedensellik testi uygulanmıştır. Ampirik bulgular, işsizlik oranındaki artışın boşanma oranlarını yükselttiğini; sosyal koruma harcamalarının ise boşanmayı azalttığını göstermektedir. Kişi başına düşen reel GSYH'nin artışı da boşanma oranları üzerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ve pozitif bir etkiye sahiptir. Nedensellik analizleri, değişkenler arasında hem çift yönlü hem de tek yönlü ilişkilerin mevcut olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Bu sonuçlar, ekonomik belirsizliklerin aile birliğini zayıflattığını, sosyal refah harcamalarının ise koruyucu bir etkisi olduğunu göstermektedir. Bulgular doğrultusunda, sosyal koruma mekanizmalarının güçlendirilmesi ve istihdam odaklı makroekonomik politikaların aile yapılarının sürdürülebilirliği açısından önemi vurgulanmaktadır. CR - Aassve, A., Billari, F. C., & Ongaro, F. (2001). The Impact of Income and Occupational Status on Leaving Home: Evidence from the Italian ECHP sample. 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Retrieved from https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators UR - https://doi.org/10.32709/akusosbil.1718450 L1 - https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4953825 ER -