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School Tracking and Mental Health

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  • Petri Böckerman
  • Mika Haapanen
  • Christopher Jepsen
  • Alexandra Roulet

Abstract

To understand how the type of education affects long-term mental health, we examine the effects of a comprehensive school reform on mental health–related hospitalizations and deaths. The reform postponed the tracking of students into vocational and academic schools from age 11 to age 16, thus affecting the set of peers and the curriculum to which these students were exposed. The reform was implemented gradually across Finnish municipalities between 1972 and 1977. We use difference-in-differences variation and administrative data. Our overall results show no discernible effects on mental health–related hospitalizations or deaths, but heterogeneity analysis shows an adverse effect on hospitalizations due to depression for females from highly educated families.

Suggested Citation

  • Petri Böckerman & Mika Haapanen & Christopher Jepsen & Alexandra Roulet, 2021. "School Tracking and Mental Health," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 15(2), pages 291-345.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jhucap:doi:10.1086/712728
    DOI: 10.1086/712728
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    3. Martin Fischer & Ulf-G Gerdtham & Gawain Heckley & Martin Karlsson & Gustav Kjellsson & Therese Nilsson, 2021. "Education and health: long-run effects of peers, tracking and years," Economic Policy, CEPR, CESifo, Sciences Po;CES;MSH, vol. 36(105), pages 3-49.
    4. Rodríguez-González, Ana, 2021. "The Impact of the Female Advantage in Education on the Marriage Market," Working Papers 2021:5, Lund University, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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