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The Impact of Family Policies on Maternal Health

Author

Listed:
  • Dehos, Fabian T.

    (RWI)

  • Paul, Marie Elina

    (University of Duisburg-Essen)

  • Schäfer, Wiebke

    (Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology (BIPS))

  • Süß, Karolin

    (University of Duisburg-Essen)

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of two major family policies on maternal health, using rich claims data from the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (GePaRD). We report a significant short-term impact of childcare on diagnosed respiratory diseases and heterogeneous effects on mental health. Childcare tends to reduce diagnoses of mental disorders and the use of psychotherapy among mothers with a history of mental disorders before childbirth, those with a strong attachment to the labor market and those who live in counties with low childcare provision. Conversely, low-educated mothers exhibit short-term increases in mental disorders and antidepressant use. Parental benefits alter the timing of respiratory diseases and slightly reduce mental disorders and their treatments in the first year after childbirth.

Suggested Citation

  • Dehos, Fabian T. & Paul, Marie Elina & Schäfer, Wiebke & Süß, Karolin, 2025. "The Impact of Family Policies on Maternal Health," IZA Discussion Papers 17998, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17998
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna Aizer & Sungwoo Cho & Shari Eli & Adriana Lleras-Muney, 2024. "The Impact of Cash Transfers to Poor Mothers on Family Structure and Maternal Well-Being," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 16(2), pages 492-529, April.
    2. Ghazala Naz, 2004. "The impact of cash-benefit reform on parents’ labour force participation," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 17(2), pages 369-383, June.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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