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Psychological Skills, Education, and Longevity of High-Ability Individuals

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  • Peter A. Savelyev

    (Vanderbilt University, Department of Economics)

Abstract

Based on the 1922–1991 Terman data of children with high ability, I investigate the effects of childhood psychological skills and post-compulsory education on longevity. I identify causal effects and account for measurement error using factor-analytic methodology (Heckman et al., 2006). Latent class analysis supports the causal interpretation of results. For males, I find strong effects of psychological skills and education on longevity and an interaction between personality and education. Results are in line with the IV literature. For females, who are born around 1910 and live longer than men, I find no effects of education and personality on longevity.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter A. Savelyev, 2014. "Psychological Skills, Education, and Longevity of High-Ability Individuals," Vanderbilt University Department of Economics Working Papers 14-00007, Vanderbilt University Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:van:wpaper:vuecon-14-00007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Michael Grossman, 2015. "The Relationship between Health and Schooling: What's New?," Working Papers 8, City University of New York Graduate Center, Ph.D. Program in Economics.
    3. Henry Saffer, 2014. "Self-regulation and Health," NBER Working Papers 20483, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    longevity; survival function; life expectancy; value of longevity; post-compulsory education; IQ; personality skills; Big Five; average treatment effect; Terman Data of Children with High Ability; gender difference;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • C1 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General

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