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Effects of temperature on mental health: Evidence and mechanisms from China

Author

Listed:
  • Hou, Junjun
  • Wang, Chenggang
  • Wang, Huixia
  • Zhang, Peng

Abstract

We study how temperature exposure affects mental health in a developing country using data from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). We find that exposure to high temperatures leads to worse mental health. Specifically, one additional day above 27 °C during the past week would increase individuals' total CESD 8 score by 1.5%, and the likelihood of having severe mental illness by 6.2% relative to a day in the reference temperature bin. We further estimate the potential mitigating effects of air conditioning on the relationship between temperature and mental health. We find that the identified relationship is mitigated by installing air conditioning. We also test some mechanisms through which temperature might impact mental health, including physical health status and sleep. We further discuss the overall health expenditure burden associated with climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Hou, Junjun & Wang, Chenggang & Wang, Huixia & Zhang, Peng, 2023. "Effects of temperature on mental health: Evidence and mechanisms from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:79:y:2023:i:c:s1043951x2300038x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2023.101953
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Rui Li & Jiaxin Shao, 2025. "Activating the longevity economy: digital literacy among older residents and household consumption structure upgrading," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Zhao, Caiyi & Zhang, Xin & Ma, Chao & Xu, Wei, 2025. "The impact of extreme high temperatures on ADRD hospitalization in Guangdong, China, 2017–2019," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    3. Catarina Midões & Enrica De Cian, 2025. "Heat and well-being in the Old Continent," Working Papers 2025: 03, Department of Economics, University of Venice "Ca' Foscari".
    4. Xu, Zhicheng & Zhao, Qingqi, 2025. "Sunrise, sunset, and adverse effects of the inflexible schedule on the health of students: Evidence from China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 2180-2191.
    5. Li, Haoyang & Chen, Yifeng & Ma, Mingming, 2024. "Temperature and life satisfaction: Evidence from Chinese older adults," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    6. Li, Ying, 2025. "Greater vulnerability but stronger recovery: The double-edged role of industrial clustering in climate risk scenarios," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    7. Wang, Jianda & Dong, Jiajia & Lyu, Weijian, 2026. "Has the widespread use of electricity in household promoted higher women's subjective social status? Evidence from the China family panel studies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    8. Yuan Zhao & Jie Feng & Xiyan Li & Ruting Huang, 2025. "Extreme Weather and Life Satisfaction: Vulnerabilities and Adaptive Strategies in China," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 26(5), pages 1-27, June.
    9. Odunola Oladeji & Ilan Noy, 2025. "Too Hot or Too Cold: Effect of Extreme Temperatures on Self-Reported Mental Health Outcomes in South Africa," CESifo Working Paper Series 12083, CESifo.
    10. Penghu Zhu & Yingying Hu & Ning Zhang, 2024. "How does civilization promote happiness? Insights from the Civilized Cities Program in China," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-18, December.
    11. Belloc, Ignacio & Gimenez-Nadal, José Ignacio & Molina, José Alberto, 2025. "Extreme temperatures: Gender differences in well-being," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 117(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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