Gender Differences in Learning about a Spouse’s Health: Field and Experimental Evidence

Ruo Jia, Jiawei Mo, Chang Zhang and Jiakun Zheng
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Ruo Jia: Peking University [Beijing]
Jiawei Mo: Peking University [Beijing]
Chang Zhang: Peking University [Beijing]
Jiakun Zheng: Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, AMSE, Marseille, France

No 2607, AMSE Working Papers from Aix-Marseille School of Economics, France

Abstract: Using field data from an insurtech firm and a survey experiment, this paper studies health belief formation within couples. We document a strong gender asymmetry: Women increase critical illness insurance purchases for their husbands after negative health signals of COVID-19, hospital visits, and unhealthy lifestyles but do not adjust coverage for themselves, while men do not respond to either. Experimental evidence reveals pervasive health overconfidence and shows that women update on husbands’ negative health information but not their own, whereas men update neither. The findings highlight gendered belief updating and the importance of household decision-makers in financial choices.

Keywords: Health overconfidence; Motivated beliefs; Gender differences; Insurance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G41 G52 I13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-02-24
Note: Working paper AMSE 2026-07
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aim:wpaimx:2607

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