School Selectivity, Peers, and Mental Health

Aline Bütikofer (), Rita Ginja, Fanny Landaud () and Katrine Løken
Additional contact information
Aline Bütikofer: Norwegian School of Economics
Fanny Landaud: Norwegian School of Economics
Katrine Løken: University of Bergen
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Aline Bütikofer and Katrine Vellesen Løken

No 2020-074, Working Papers from Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group

Abstract: Although many students suffer from anxiety and depression, and students often identify school pressure and concerns about their futures as the main reasons for their worries, little is known about the consequences of a selective school environment on students' physical and mental health. In this paper, we draw on rich administrative data and the features of the high school assignment system in the largest Norwegian cities to consider the long-term consequences of enrollment in a more selective high school. Using a regression discontinuity analysis, we show that eligibility to enroll in a more selective high school increases the probability of enrollment in higher education and decreases the probability of diagnosis or treatment by a general medical practitioner for psychological symptoms and diseases. We further document that enrolling in a more selective high school has a greater positive impact when there are larger changes in the student-teacher ratio, teachers' age, and the proportion of female teachers. These findings suggest that changes in teacher characteristics are important for better understanding the effects of a more selective school environment.

Keywords: mental health; selective schools; teacher characteristics; Norway (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I12 I21 J13 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-edu and nep-ure
Note: ECI
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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http://humcap.uchicago.edu/RePEc/hka/wpaper/Butiko ... rs-mental-health.pdf First version, October 14, 2020 (application/pdf)

Related works:
Working Paper: School selectivity, peers, and mental health (2021)
Working Paper: School Selectivity, Peers, and Mental Health (2020)
Working Paper: School Selectivity, Peers, and Mental Health (2020)
Working Paper: School Selectivity, Peers, and Mental Health (2020)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hka:wpaper:2020-074

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