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Young in class: Implications for inattentive/hyperactive behaviour of Canadian boys and girls

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  • Kelly Chen
  • Nicole Fortin
  • Shelley Phipps

Abstract

Using data from the Statistics Canada National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY), this paper investigates the impact of school entry age on inattentive/hyperactive behaviours. We employ both an across-provinces and time difference-in-differences approach and a within-province regression discontinuity design. We find that being young in class causes greater inattentive/hyperactive behaviour, exacerbating any inattentive/hyperactive behaviour exhibited prior to school entry. These results also hold in sibling fixed effect models. We do not find gender differences in the effects, although since boys are more likely to be inattentive/hyperactive at school entry, they are more affected. These effects persist into early adolescence.

Suggested Citation

  • Kelly Chen & Nicole Fortin & Shelley Phipps, 2015. "Young in class: Implications for inattentive/hyperactive behaviour of Canadian boys and girls," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 48(5), pages 1601-1634, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:cje:issued:v:48:y:2015:i:5:p:1601-1634
    DOI: 10.1111/caje.12174
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    Cited by:

    1. Page, Lionel & Sarkar, Dipanwita & Silva-Goncalves, Juliana, 2019. "Long-lasting effects of relative age at school," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 166-195.
    2. Kong, Nancy & Phipps, Shelley & Watson, Barry, 2021. "Parental economic insecurity and child health," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    3. Kelly Chen & Lars Osberg & Shelley Phipps, 2019. "Unequal opportunities and public policy: The impact of parental disability benefits on child postsecondary attendance," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 52(4), pages 1401-1432, November.
    4. Barry Watson & Nancy Kong & Shelley Phipps & Angela Daley, 2025. "Dreaming of a Brighter Future? The Impact of Economic Circumstances on University Aspirations," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 180(1), pages 383-410, October.
    5. Ferrer, Ana M. & Pan, Yazhuo, 2018. "Family structure and child cognitive outcomes: Evidence from Canadian longitudinal data," CLEF Working Paper Series 16, Canadian Labour Economics Forum (CLEF), University of Waterloo.
    6. Chen, Kelly & Phipps, Shelley, 2021. "“Why can't you sit still?”The effect of daily physical activity on childhood inattention/hyperactivity and the educational gender gap," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    7. Kelly Chen & Lars Osberg & Shelley Phipps, 2015. "Inter-generational effects of disability benefits: evidence from Canadian social assistance programs," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 28(4), pages 873-910, October.
    8. Nicodemo, Catia & Nicoletti, Cheti & Vidiella-Martin, Joaquim, 2024. "Starting School and ADHD: When Is It Time to Fly the Nest?," IZA Discussion Papers 17091, IZA Network @ LISER.
    9. Mariagrazia Cavallo & Elizabeth Dhuey & Luca Fumarco & Levi Halewyck & Simon ter Meulen, 2026. "The Economics of Age at School Entry: Insights from Evidence and Methods," CESifo Working Paper Series 12545, CESifo.
    10. Marie Connolly & Catherine Haeck, 2018. "Le lien entre la taille des classes et les compétences cognitives et non cognitives," CIRANO Project Reports 2018rp-18, CIRANO.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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