Sara Bielek, Psy.D., clinical assistant professor in Wright State University’s School of Professional Psychology, was featured as an expert contributor in WalletHub’s 2026 “Best and Worst States to Raise a Family” study.
In the article, Bielek highlighted the importance of psychological well-being and family support in evaluating family-friendly environments. She said that decisions about where to raise children are shaped not only by economic and safety metrics, but also by the availability of supportive community networks, access to quality mental health resources and stability in education and healthcare systems.
“When families are considering a place to settle down, there are a variety of factors to explore; some are more obvious than others,” she said. “However, having a list of ‘must haves’ and ‘would be nice to have’ can help lessen the feeling of being overwhelmed in selecting ‘the perfect’ place to reside.”
Bielek also explained how psychological and environmental factors influence child development and overall family quality of life, offering a deeper understanding of what makes a state conducive to raising a family.
Read Bielek’s comments on the “Best and Worst States to Raise a Family.”
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