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The Effect of Depression on Labor Market Outcomes

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  • Lizhong Peng
  • Chad D. Meyerhoefer
  • Samuel H. Zuvekas

Abstract

We estimated the effect of depression on labor market outcomes using data from the 2004-2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. After accounting for the endogeneity of depression through a correlated random effects panel data specification, we found that depression reduces the likelihood of employment. We did not, however, find evidence of a causal relationship between depression and hourly wages or weekly hours worked. Our estimates are substantially smaller than those from previous studies, and imply that depression reduces the probability of employment by 2.6 percentage points. In addition, we examined the effect of depression on work impairment and found that depression increases annual work loss days by about 1.4 days (33 percent), which implies that the annual aggregate productivity loses due to depression-induced absenteeism range from $700 million to 1.4 billion in 2009 USD.

Suggested Citation

  • Lizhong Peng & Chad D. Meyerhoefer & Samuel H. Zuvekas, 2013. "The Effect of Depression on Labor Market Outcomes," NBER Working Papers 19451, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:19451
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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