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Maternal depression and child human capital: A genetic instrumental-variable approach

Author

Listed:
  • Giorgia Menta

    (uni.lu - Université du Luxembourg = University of Luxembourg = Universität Luxemburg)

  • Anthony Lepinteur

    (uni.lu - Université du Luxembourg = University of Luxembourg = Universität Luxemburg)

  • Andrew E Clark

    (PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement)

  • Simone Ghislandi

    (Bocconi University [Milan, Italy])

  • Conchita d'Ambrosio

    (uni.lu - Université du Luxembourg = University of Luxembourg = Universität Luxemburg)

Abstract

We here address the causal relationship between maternal depression and child human capital using UK cohort data. We exploit the conditionally-exogenous variation in mothers' genomes in an instrumental-variable approach, and describe the conditions under which mother's genetic variants can be used as valid instruments. An additional episode of maternal depression between the child's birth up to age nine reduces both their cognitive and non-cognitive skills by 20 to 45% of a SD throughout adolescence. Our results are robust to a battery of sensitivity tests addressing, among others, concerns about pleiotropy and the maternal transmission of genes to her child.

Suggested Citation

  • Giorgia Menta & Anthony Lepinteur & Andrew E Clark & Simone Ghislandi & Conchita d'Ambrosio, 2021. "Maternal depression and child human capital: A genetic instrumental-variable approach," PSE Working Papers halshs-03157270, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:psewpa:halshs-03157270
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-03157270v1
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mendelian Randomisation; Maternal Depression; Human Capital; Instrumental Variables; ALSPAC;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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