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Early Life Exposure to Above Average Rainfall and Adult Mental Health

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  • Mochamad Pasha
  • Marc Rockmore
  • Chih Ming Tan
  • Dhanushka Thamarapani

Abstract

We study the effects of early life exposure to above average levels of rainfall on adult mental health. While we find no effect from prenatal exposure, postnatal positive rainfall shocks decrease average Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CESD) mental health scores by 13% and increase the likelihood of depression by 6%, a more than 26% increase relative to the mean. These effects are limited to females. We rule out prenatal stress and income shocks as pathways. Early life exposure to infectious diseases appears to play a limited role but further research is required.

Suggested Citation

  • Mochamad Pasha & Marc Rockmore & Chih Ming Tan & Dhanushka Thamarapani, 2023. "Early Life Exposure to Above Average Rainfall and Adult Mental Health," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 85(4), pages 692-717, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:obuest:v:85:y:2023:i:4:p:692-717
    DOI: 10.1111/obes.12548
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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