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Comparing Veteran and Non-veteran Racial Disparities in Mid-life Health and Well-being

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  • Heather M. Rackin

    (Louisiana State University)

Abstract

Using National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 data on mid-life physical health, mental health, and self-esteem, I examine inter- and intra-racial disparities in health and well-being among veteran and non-veteran men (N = 2440). After controlling for selectivity into the military via propensity weighting, I find that black veterans have higher self-esteem than white veterans and comparable black non-veterans, but white veterans have similar mid-life self-esteem as their non-veteran counterparts. I find no evidence of disparities in health for depressive symptoms and self-rated health after taking selection into military service into account. The results suggest that aspects of military service may increase blacks’ self-esteem, possibly due to less discrimination and more opportunity.

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  • Heather M. Rackin, 2017. "Comparing Veteran and Non-veteran Racial Disparities in Mid-life Health and Well-being," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 36(3), pages 331-356, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:poprpr:v:36:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s11113-016-9419-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11113-016-9419-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Amy Kate Bailey & Meredith Kleykamp, 2018. "Editors’ Introduction," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 37(4), pages 511-516, August.

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