TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Böckerman, Petri
AU  - Haapanen, Mika
AU  - Kuhakoski, Jani
AU  - Kuuppelomäki, Tiina
AU  - Villanen, Juuso
        TI  - Born at the Right Time: Examining the Effect of Relative Age on Mental Health in Adulthood
        PY  - 2024/Dec/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 17501
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/publications/dp17501
        AB  - This paper examines the understudied effect of relative age on mental health in adulthood. Our empirical analysis utilizes nationwide Finnish register-based data on mental health, encompassing a spectrum of conditions from severe to less severe mental health problems. To identity causal effects, we employ a regression discontinuity design centered around the January 1 cutoff. We find that being born at the start of the year leads to better mental health outcomes. Notably, these effects, primarily influenced by relative school starting age, are driven by women in their late twenties.
        KW  - relative age
KW  - mental health
KW  - education
KW  - school starting age
KW  - children
        ER  -