Research & Projects
Research & Projects
A substantial body of research has examined the effects of early childhood education programs on children’s developmental outcomes and parental labor market participation. However, relatively little attention has been given to their potential impacts on parental mental health. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the effect of one of the most prominent early education interventions—pre-kindergarten (pre-K) programs—on the mental health of parents. The analysis distinguishes between two major types of pre-K programs: universal and targeted. Leveraging age-based eligibility rules for identification, the findings indicate that universal pre-K programs significantly enhance parental mental health among low-income families, whereas targeted programs do not yield comparable benefits. The disparity in outcomes between the two program types may be attributed to differences in classroom diversity and peer effects. Two primary mechanisms are identified as contributing to the program effect: (1) a reduction in time devoted to child-rearing, and (2) improvements in children’s behavioral development, which may facilitate a better parents-child communication. The evidence suggests that the latter plays a much more substantial role. These results highlight that the benefits of early education programs extend beyond child outcomes, generating meaningful positive spillover effects on parental well-being.
We draw on a near-universe dataset of Chinese online job postings from 2016–2023 (3.2 million ads) to measure job-level skill demands and estimate city-specific skill premia. Using a hybrid approach that combines keyword dictionaries with a Chinese BERT-based skill classifier, we construct standardized measures of skill intensity. Three key findings emerge. First, skill requirements vary substantially across metropolitan areas (MAs), with the largest divergence observed for IT-related skills. Second, skill prices do not necessarily align with their local intensities—high demand for a skill does not always translate into a wage premium. Third, IT and interpersonal skill premia exhibit polarization across cities and act as substitutes within occupations.
The internet has become essential for countless individuals globally, making it crucial to understand its impact on daily life. This study examines theeffect of internet usage on mental health in China, using data from the Chinese General Social Survey, employing the ”Broadband China” pilot policy as aquasi-natural experiment, and conducting a two-way fixed effect difference-in-differences model for analysis. The findings suggest that expanded internet access negatively affects Chinese adults’ mental health through a channel of reducing time spent with friends, increasing exposure to harmful information, and encouraging greater engagement in financial investments.
This study examines the unintended consequences of Paid Family Leave (PFL) for elder health in the context of population aging and rising Medicare costs. Exploiting the staggered rollout of PFL across states, I find heterogeneous effects: while elders with disabilities benefit from increased family caregiving and greater co-residence with adult daughters, non-disabled elders experience significant health declines. The mechanism appears to be a reduction in grandparental childcare after PFL, which weakens intergenerational contact and diminishes the support non-disabled elders receive from adult children. As a result, these elders are less likely to access healthcare, more likely to engage in risky health behaviors, and report poorer health outcomes. By contrast, disabled elders receive more direct care, highlighting the divergent effects of the same policy. Overall, the findings reveal how PFL reshapes family caregiving arrangements—improving outcomes for some elders while inadvertently reducing support for others.
China, the world’s most populous nation, experienced sustained population growth for decades, even under the One-Child Policy. However, since 2018, the country has faced a sharp demographic downturn. Despite policy reversals and pro-natalist initiatives, China recorded the world’s second- lowest birth rate in 2023. This striking shift raises a central question: why has fertility declined so drastically in a society once characterized by strong family-building norms. While economic pressures and social change are often cited, my research examines a less explored factor: internet usage. The internet shapes information access and social norms, potentially shifting attitudes toward marriage, family, and childbearing. By linking digital exposure to fertility and sex preferences, the study offers new evidence on how technological change influences demographic outcomes in developing contexts.