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A head above the rest: Height and adolescent psychological well-being

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  • Rees, Daniel I.
  • Sabia, Joseph J.
  • Argys, Laura M.

Abstract

Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we examine the effect of adolescent height on mental health as measured by Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scores and Rosenberg Self-Esteem (RSE) scores. We find evidence that height is associated with fewer symptoms of depression among females 17-19 years of age, and among males 12-19 years of age. The negative relationship between height and depression among males persists after controlling for body mass index (BMI), differences in pubertal timing, and individual fixed effects, but does not explain the effect of height on educational attainment. We conclude that there is a small psychological benefit for males to being taller as an adolescent.

Suggested Citation

  • Rees, Daniel I. & Sabia, Joseph J. & Argys, Laura M., 2009. "A head above the rest: Height and adolescent psychological well-being," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 7(2), pages 217-228, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:7:y:2009:i:2:p:217-228
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    Cited by:

    1. Olivier Bargain & Jinan Zeidan, 2017. "Stature, Skills and Adult Life Outcomes: Evidence from Indonesia," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(6), pages 873-890, June.
    2. Bassino, Jean-Pascal & Kato, Noriko, 2010. "Rich and slim, but relatively short Explaining the halt in the secular trend in Japan," CEI Working Paper Series 2010-5, Center for Economic Institutions, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    3. Daniel I. Rees & Joseph J. Sabia, 2013. "Forced Intercourse, Mental Health, and Human Capital," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 80(2), pages 324-344, October.
    4. D. Mark Anderson & Resul Cesur & Erdal Tekin, 2015. "Youth Depression And Future Criminal Behavior," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 53(1), pages 294-317, January.
    5. Vincenzo Carrieri & Maria De Paola, 2011. "The Effects Of Peoples’ Height And Relative Height On Well-Being," Working Papers 201110, Università della Calabria, Dipartimento di Economia, Statistica e Finanza "Giovanni Anania" - DESF.
    6. Tianyuan Luo & Cesar L. Escalante, 2021. "Stringent immigration enforcement and the mental health and health‐risk behaviors of Hispanic adolescent students in Arizona," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(1), pages 86-103, January.
    7. Howard Bodenhorn & Carolyn Moehling & Gregory N. Price, 2012. "Short Criminals: Stature and Crime in Early America," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 55(2), pages 393-419.
    8. Kevin Denny, 2017. "Are the Effects of Height on Well-Being a Tall Tale?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(5), pages 1445-1458, October.
    9. Carrieri, Vincenzo & De Paola, Maria, 2012. "Height and subjective well-being in Italy," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 10(3), pages 289-298.
    10. Wilson, Nicholas & Janicki, Martha, 2016. "A cut above the rest? Private anthropometrics in marriage markets," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 164-179.
    11. Mora, Toni, 2013. "The association between adolescent height and student school satisfaction: Recent evidence from Catalonia," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 11(2), pages 197-200.
    12. Andrew W. Nutting, 2020. "Height and Adult Alcohol Consumption," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 48(1), pages 115-129, March.
    13. Kitae Sohn, 2016. "Height and Happiness in a Developing Country," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 1-23, February.

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