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

No 349, Working Papers from Työn ja talouden tutkimus LABORE, The Labour Institute for Economic Research LABORE

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: 35 pages
Date: 2024-12-03
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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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