Research

Costi, C., Hollingsworth, B., O'Sullivan, V., Zucchelli, E., Does caring for others affect our mental health? Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic, Social Science & Medicine (2023) available here

Abstract

Despite a growing literature about the mental health effects of COVID-19, less is known about the psychological costs of providing informal care during the ongoing pandemic. We examined longitudinal data from the UK’s Understanding Society Survey, including eight COVID surveys, to estimate fixed effects difference-in-differences models, combined with matching, to explore the causal effects of COVID-19 among informal carers. While matching accounts for selection on observables into caregiving, multiple period difference-in-differences specifications allow investigation of heterogeneous mental health effects of COVID-19 by timing and duration of informal care. The estimates suggest that while mental health fluctuated following the imposition of social restrictions, informal carers who started caregiving during the pandemic show the largest mental health deterioration, especially during lockdowns. Policies to mitigate the psychological burden of caregiving might be more effective if targeted at those starting to provide care for the first time.

"Healthcare Workers and Life Satisfaction during the Pandemic" Costi, C., Clark, A.E., Lepinteur, A., and D'Ambrosio, C., 2023 available here

“Intergenerational persistence of socioeconomic status, smoking and birth weight: evidence from three generations” Costi, C., Migali, G., and Zucchelli, E. 2024 available here

"Return-to-Office Mandate, Health and Well-being: Evidence from a Natural Experiment" Costi, C., Clark, A.E., D'Ambrosio, C., Lepinteur, A., and Menta, G.

“The interplay between cognitive abilities, physical and mental health in ageing populations ” Costi, C. 

"The intergenerational transmission of DNA methylation: is it shared environment or genetics?" Costi, C., D'Ambrosio, C., and Menta, G.

“Presence of airports and income-related health inequality. Evidence from Peru” Costi, C., and Hidalgo, A.