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The Impact of PhD Studies on Mental Health—A Longitudinal Population Study

Author

Listed:
  • Bergvall, Sanna

    (Department of Economics, University of Gothenburg)

  • Fernström, Clara

    (Stockholm Business School, Stockholm University)

  • Ranehill, Eva

    (Department of Economics, Lund University)

  • Sandberg, Anna

    (Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University)

Abstract
Recent self-reported and cross-sectional survey evidence documents high levels of mental health problems among PhD students. We study the impact of PhD studies on mental health care uptake using Swedish administrative records of prescriptions for psychiatric medication for the full population of PhD students. First, we provide descriptive evidence that PhD students collect psychiatric medication at a higher rate than a matched sample of individuals holding a master’s degree, but at a lower rate than a matched sample from the general population. Second, we implement an event study analysis and document that, in the years preceding their PhD studies, prospective students collect psychiatric medication at a rate similar to that of a matched sample of individuals holding a master’s degree. However, following the start of PhD studies, the use of psychiatric medication among PhD students increases substantially. This upward trend continues throughout the course of PhD studies, with estimates showing a 40 percent increase by the fifth year compared to pre-PhD levels. After the fifth year, which represents the average duration of PhD studies in our sample, we observe a notable decrease in the utilization of psychiatric medication.

Suggested Citation

  • Bergvall, Sanna & Fernström, Clara & Ranehill, Eva & Sandberg, Anna, 2024. "The Impact of PhD Studies on Mental Health—A Longitudinal Population Study," Working Papers 2024:5, Lund University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:lunewp:2024_005
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chirikov, Igor & Soria, Krista M & Horgos, Bonnie & Jones-White, Daniel, 2020. "Undergraduate and Graduate Students’ Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic," University of California at Berkeley, Center for Studies in Higher Education qt80k5d5hw, Center for Studies in Higher Education, UC Berkeley.
    2. Callaway, Brantly & Sant’Anna, Pedro H.C., 2021. "Difference-in-Differences with multiple time periods," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 225(2), pages 200-230.
    3. Cutler, David M. & Lleras-Muney, Adriana, 2010. "Understanding differences in health behaviors by education," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 1-28, January.
    4. Gabriella Conti & James Heckman & Sergio Urzua, 2010. "The Education-Health Gradient," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 100(2), pages 234-238, May.
    5. Sun, Liyang & Abraham, Sarah, 2021. "Estimating dynamic treatment effects in event studies with heterogeneous treatment effects," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 225(2), pages 175-199.
    6. Valentin Bolotnyy & Matthew Basilico & Paul Barreira, 2022. "Graduate Student Mental Health: Lessons from American Economics Departments," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 60(4), pages 1188-1222, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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