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Impact of Natural Disasters on Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on the 2014 China Family Panel Survey

Author

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  • Rui Zhang

    (Department of Economics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China)

  • Yunzhi Zhang

    (Department of Economics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
    Faculty of Law, Economic, and Management, LEO-University of Orléans, 45067 Orléans, France)

  • Zhe Dai

    (Law School, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China)

Abstract

Mental health problems are a leading cause of disability in both developed and developing countries, and the consequences of mental health disorders for individuals, families, and society as a whole could be severe and costly. To supplement relevant research and provide insightful policy suggestions to families, government and societies, this study investigates the nexus between natural disasters and mental health for middle-aged and older adults in rural China. Based on data of 8721 observations from the 2014 China Family Panel Studies, we estimate the effects of natural disasters on mental health using ordinary least squares and propensity score matching. Our findings suggest that natural disasters have a significant negative effect on middle-aged and older adults’ mental health in the case of rural China. This effect is heterogeneous depending on individuals’ education level and their agricultural production status. Finally, individuals’ happiness and life satisfaction are shown to be the potential mechanism through which the effect of natural disasters on mental health operates.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui Zhang & Yunzhi Zhang & Zhe Dai, 2022. "Impact of Natural Disasters on Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on the 2014 China Family Panel Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2511-:d:755359
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    Cited by:

    1. Anqi Li & Shiko Maruyama, 2024. "Who suffered most in the pandemic? A distribution regression analysis of happiness in Japan," The Japanese Economic Review, Springer, vol. 75(4), pages 637-690, December.
    2. Rui Zhang & Chenglei Zhang & Jiahui Xia & Dawei Feng & Shaoyong Wu, 2022. "Household Wealth and Individuals’ Mental Health: Evidence from the 2012–2018 China Family Panel Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Montero, José-María & Naimy, Viviane & Farraj, Nermeen Abi & El Khoury, Rim, 2024. "Natural disasters, stock price volatility in the property-liability insurance market and sustainability: An unexplored link," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    4. Mingna Li & Bo Zhou & Bingbin Hu, 2022. "Relationship between Income and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, July.

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