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Early Life Circumstance and Adult Psychological Well-being

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  • Kerui Geng

    (Tulane University)

Abstract

The disparity in psychological well-being during adulthood can be traced back to early-life circumstances. While existing literature has highlighted the significant influence of contemporaneous factors on psychological well-being, little is known about its long-term determinants. I study the impact of early life circumstances on adult psychological well-being using the property reform in China as a positive and policy-driven change in economic resources in early life. Exploiting the staggered adoption of the reform, I find that exposure to property reform during the in-utero period and early childhood leads to higher adult life satisfaction, higher adult happiness, and better adult mental health. Larger effects are found among males and those whose parents are less educated. Birth weight, parental investment, adult health, and subjective assessments of one's circumstances are likely operative channels of effect. These findings shed light on the long-lasting consequences of early-life circumstances on psychological well-being in adulthood.

Suggested Citation

  • Kerui Geng, 2024. "Early Life Circumstance and Adult Psychological Well-being," Working Papers 2407, Tulane University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:tul:wpaper:2407
    as

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    File URL: http://repec.tulane.edu/RePEc/pdf/tul2407.pdf
    File Function: First Version, March 2024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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