Berner Shalem, Rachel, Cornaglia, Francesca and De Neve, Jan-Emmanuel (2012) The enduring impact of childhood experience on mental health: evidence using instrumented co-twin data. CEP Discussion Papers (CEPDP1175). London School of Economics and Political Science. Centre for Economic Performance, London, UK.
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Abstract
The question of whether there is a lasting effect of childhood experience on mental health has eluded causal measurement. We draw upon identical twin data and econometric instrumentation to provide an unbiased answer. We find that 55% of a one standard deviation change in mental health due to idiosyncratic experience at age 9 will still be present three years later. Extending the analysis, we find such persistence to vary with age at impact, gender, and mental health sub-categories. This investigation allows us to get a grasp on the degree to which childhood events influence health and socio-economic outcomes by way of their lagged effect on subsequent mental health. A better understanding of the evolution of mental health also helps identifying when mental health issues can be most effectively treated.
| Item Type: | Monograph (Discussion Paper) |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | http://cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/publications/series.asp?... |
| Additional Information: | © 2012 The Authors |
| Divisions: | Centre for Economic Performance |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology R Medicine > R Medicine (General) |
| JEL classification: | I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I0 - General |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Aug 2013 15:19 |
| Last Modified: | 11 Dec 2024 19:08 |
| URI: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/51522 |
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