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Realizing the significance of socio-economic triggers for mental health outcomes in India

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  • Andrés, Antonio Rodríguez
  • Chakraborty, Bidisha
  • Dasgupta, Piyali
  • Mitra, Siddhartha

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of socio-economic triggers on mental health outcomes, proxied by male and female suicide rates. For that purpose we estimate a fixed effects panel data model of 15 major Indian states over the years 1992–2009. Our results show that urbanization and crimes against women increase suicide rates, regardless of gender. Literacy and gross enrolment decrease suicide rates for women but have exactly the opposite effect for men while poverty has a general negative effect on both male and female suicide rates. Unemployment is observed to be not affecting the suicide rate. Adequate explanations for these impacts are provided and policy implications drawn.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrés, Antonio Rodríguez & Chakraborty, Bidisha & Dasgupta, Piyali & Mitra, Siddhartha, 2014. "Realizing the significance of socio-economic triggers for mental health outcomes in India," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 50-57.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:soceco:v:50:y:2014:i:c:p:50-57
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2014.03.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mirza, Arshad & Singh, Nirvikar, 2018. "Mental Health Policy in India: Seven Sets of Questions and Some Answers," MPRA Paper 91046, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Panel data; Suicide; Socio-economic indicators; India; Mental health;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods
    • I - Health, Education, and Welfare
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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