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The enduring impact of childhood experience on mental health: evidence using instrumented co-twin data

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: 15 Sep 2023 23:27
URI: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/51522

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