Does Education Shield Against Common Mental Disorders?

Johansson EdvardBöckerman PetriMartelin TuijaPirkola SamiPoikolainen Karí

The paper examines the causal effect of education on common individual mental disorders in adulthood. We use a representative population health survey and instrumental variable methods. The estimates point to mostly insignificant effects of education on common mental disorders. We find that the length of education reduces the BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) measure at the 10% significance level, but has no effect when using the GHQ-12 (12-item General Health Questionnaire) or the probability of severe depression as a measure of mental health. These results cast doubt on the view that the length of formal education would be a particularly important determinant of common mental disorders later in life.

Julkaisun tietoja

Sarja
Keskusteluaiheita nro 1202
Päiväys
2009
Keywords
education,mental health,common mental disorders
JEL
I12,I21
Sivuja
14
Hinta
10 €
Painoversion saatavuus
Kieli
Englanti