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Coed vs Single-Sex Schooling: An Empirical Study on Mental Health Outcomes

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  • Seul-Ki Kim

    (Department of Economics, Sogang University, Seoul)

  • Young-Chul Kim

    (Department of Economics, Sogang University, Seoul)

Abstract

There is a growing debate around the differential cognitive impacts of coeducational and singlesex education; however, little is known about their non-cognitive impacts. This study investigates the effects of single-sex schooling on students’ mental health, focusing on feeling blue, happiness, and suicidal ideation. Employing a nationally representative large-scale dataset regarding middle school students in South Korea, we found that single-sex schooling has significant positive effects on mental health outcomes, especially for girls. Subsequent examination of the possible channels revealed that while single-sex schooling increases the pressure regarding test scores, it reduces the mental stress that can arise from students’ peer relationships or personal appearance. Further examination using separate national-level youth panel data confirmed that single-sex schooling reduces depression and improves self-esteem and school aspirations. These findings imply that the benefits of single-sex education may be stronger than previously thought and more comprehensive discussions on school formation policies should be pursued.

Suggested Citation

  • Seul-Ki Kim & Young-Chul Kim, 2021. "Coed vs Single-Sex Schooling: An Empirical Study on Mental Health Outcomes," Working Papers 2103, Nam Duck-Woo Economic Research Institute, Sogang University (Former Research Institute for Market Economy).
    • Handle: RePEc:sgo:wpaper:2103
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Single-sex Schooling; Mental Health; Non-cognitive Outcomes; School Formation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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