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Peer Effects in Adolescent Mental Health

Author

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  • Hadah, Hussain

    (Tulane University)

Abstract

This paper examines peer mental health’s influence on adolescents’ wellbeing, academic performance, and behavior. Using friends-of-friends as an instrument, I find that a one standard deviation increase in friends’ mental unwellness is associated with a 0.67 standard deviation increase in one’s own. Peers’ therapy participation significantly reduces individual mental unwellness while increasing therapy participation likelihood, highlighting positive spillover effects of interventions. The results reveal significant negative effects of peer mental unwellness on personal mental health, academic achievement, physical health, and risky behavior, confirming that adolescent mental health constitutes a social contagion.

Suggested Citation

  • Hadah, Hussain, 2026. "Peer Effects in Adolescent Mental Health," IZA Discussion Papers 18623, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18623
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • C36 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Instrumental Variables (IV) Estimation

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