Ida Lykke Kristiansen
Publications
Consequences of Serious Parental Health Events on Child Mental Health and Educational Outcomes
Health Economics, 2021 vol. 30 No. 8, pp. 1772-1817
I show that serious, yet common, parental health events in childhood have immediate and lasting effects on mental health and educational outcomes for children. Following a parental health event, the children are more likely to receive therapy and consume anti-depressant medication. More so, the children achieve lower test scores and have lower school enrollment rates. The effect immediately occurs following the event and persists at least into early adulthood. I find that the effect on test scores doesn't differ significantly across family income, but that children from low-income families are more likely to be prescribed anti-depressants following the event, while children from high-income families are more likely to receive therapy. Exploiting differences in general practitioners' (GP) behavior in prescribing anti-depressant and referring children to therapy, I find suggestive evidence that children who are more exposed to medical treatment of mental health issues have lower educational attainments in early adulthood.
Universal preschool programs and long-term child outcomes: A systematic review
With Jens Dietrichson and Bjørn C. V. Nielsen
The Journal of Economic Surveys, 2020 vol.34 No. 5, pp.1007-1043
What are the long-term effects of universal preschool programs on child outcomes? We review 26 studies using natural experiments to estimate the effects of universal preschool programs for children aged 0-6 years on child outcomes measured from third grade to adulthood. Studies comparing preschool with parental, family, or other informal modes of care show mixed effects on test scores, and on measures related to health, well-being, and behavior. However, all estimates for outcomes related to adequate primary and secondary school progression, years of schooling, highest degree completed, employment, and earnings indicate beneficial average effects of universal preschool programs. Three of the included studies calculate benefits-to-costs ratios and find ratios clearly above one. Universal preschool tends to be more beneficial for children with low socioeconomic status, and there are not consistently different effects for boys or girls. Only three studies compare two alternative types of universal preschool programs in terms of long-term outcomes.
Working papers
Doctor Who? The Effect of Physician-Patient Match on The SES-Health Gradient
with Sophie Yanying Sheng
[Danish Broadcast - Deadline] [Danish Broadcast radio programme Orientering] [CEBI news -Non-technical summary]
This study explores the impact of primary care physicians' childhood socio-economic status (SES) on their patients' health and socio-economic inequality in health. We measure physicians' SES by their parents' education and find that SES concordance decreases low-SES patients' mortality substantially, while high-SES patients' mortality does not depend on their physicians' family background, resulting in a reduction in the SES-mortality gradient of around 25%. SES concordance improves low-SES patients' health by increasing care at the intensive margin, increasing detection of chronic conditions, and improving adherence to treatment. SES concordance elevates communication, fosters empathy and trust between physicians and low SES patients.
with Mikkel Aagaard Houmark, Cecilie Marie Løchte Jørgensen & Miriam Gensowski
[Rockwool Podcast] [Radio4 Morgen] [JP: Ny forskning: Kortere orlov går ud over trivslen hos store skolebørn] [University of Copenhagen News] [Rockwool Fonden: Øremærket barsel kan forværre børns trivsel og udvikling, hvis de nye regler fører til en kortere samlet barsel] [IZA Newsroom - Non-technical summary]
We study how children's socio-emotional skills and well-being in adolescence are affected by an increase in the duration of parental care during infancy. Exploiting a Danish reform that extended paid parental leave in 2002 and effectively delayed children's entry into formal out-of-home care, we show that longer leave increases adolescent well-being, conscientiousness and emotional stability, and reduces school absenteeism. The effects are strongest for children of mothers who would have taken short leave in absence of the reform. This highlights how time spent with a parent is particularly productive during very early childhood.