Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/190114 
Year of Publication: 
2018
Series/Report no.: 
WIDER Working Paper No. 2018/65
Publisher: 
The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), Helsinki
Abstract: 
This paper provides causal evidence on early-life exposure to war on mental health status in adulthood. Using an instrumental variable strategy, the evidence indicates that early-life exposure to bombing during the American war in Vietnam has long-term effects. A one percent increase in bombing intensity during 1965-75 increases the likelihood of severe mental distress in adulthood by 16 percentage points (or approximately 50 percent of the mean) and this result is robust to a variety of sensitivity checks. The negative effects of war are similar for both men and women. These findings add to the evidence on the enduring consequences of conflict and identify a critical area for policy intervention.
Subjects: 
early-life
mental health
conflict
Vietnam
JEL: 
I1
I15
H56
I31
N35
O12
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
ISBN: 
978-92-9256-507-7
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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