Air Pollution and Mental Health: Evidence from China

Shuai Chen, Paulina Oliva and Peng Zhang

AEA Papers and Proceedings, 2024, vol. 114, 423-28

Abstract: We estimate the short-run effect of air pollution on mental illness. Using the China Family Panel Studies covering 12,615 urban residents during 2014–2015, we find a significantly positive effect of air pollution—instrumented by thermal inversions—on mental illness measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Specifically, a 1 SD (18.04 μg/m3) increase in PM2.5 concentrations over a month increases the probability of having a score value associated with severe mental illness by 7.58 percentage points, or 0.37 SD. We find suggestive evidence that indirect channels—like reduced exercise and physical health—play a role in the effect.

JEL-codes: I12 O13 O15 P28 P36 Q51 Q53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20241062

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