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Gender and socioeconomic dimensions of relative age effects on ADHD prescriptions: Evidence from Denmark

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  • Thide, Konrad Juel
  • Bøgh, Felix Johannes Pettersson
  • Larsen, Birthe

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of relative age on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) prescriptions among school-aged children. Using a regression discontinuity design, we leverage the quasi-experimental variation in school starting age. We use administrative data for all children aged 6–16 from 2010 to 2019 in Denmark. We find a significant decrease in ADHD prescription rates for girls who are relatively old compared to their class mates. We do not find any significant results for boys. We further test the social gradient in relative age on ADHD prescriptions and find that the effect is entirely driven by girls from low income families.

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  • Thide, Konrad Juel & Bøgh, Felix Johannes Pettersson & Larsen, Birthe, 2024. "Gender and socioeconomic dimensions of relative age effects on ADHD prescriptions: Evidence from Denmark," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:244:y:2024:i:c:s0165176524004841
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2024.112000
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elder, Todd E., 2010. "The importance of relative standards in ADHD diagnoses: Evidence based on exact birth dates," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 641-656, September.
    2. Schwandt, Hannes & Wuppermann, Amelie, 2016. "The youngest get the pill: ADHD misdiagnosis in Germany, its regional correlates and international comparison," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 72-86.
    3. Dalsgaard, Søren & Humlum, Maria Knoth & Nielsen, Helena Skyt & Simonsen, Marianne, 2012. "Relative standards in ADHD diagnoses: The role of specialist behavior," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 117(3), pages 663-665.
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