Born at the Right Time: Examining the Effect of Relative Age on Mental Health in Adulthood

Petri Böckerman (), Mika Haapanen, Jani Kuhakoski, Tiina Kuuppelomäki () and Juuso Villanen
Additional contact information
Jani Kuhakoski: LABORE Labour Institute for Economic Research
Tiina Kuuppelomäki: Labour Institute for Economic Research
Juuso Villanen: LABORE Labour Institute for Economic Research

No 17501, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper examines the understudied effect of relative age on mental health in adulthood. Our empirical analysis utilizes nationwide Finnish register-based data on mental health, encompassing a spectrum of conditions from severe to less severe mental health problems. To identity causal effects, we employ a regression discontinuity design centered around the January 1 cutoff. We find that being born at the start of the year leads to better mental health outcomes. Notably, these effects, primarily influenced by relative school starting age, are driven by women in their late twenties.

Keywords: relative age; mental health; education; school starting age; children (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 I14 I31 J13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 34 pages
Date: 2024-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea
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Working Paper: Born at the right time: Examining the effect of relative age on mental health in adulthood (2024)
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