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Gender Differences in Cognition in China and Reasons for Change over Time: Evidence from CHARLS

Author

Listed:
  • Lei, Xiaoyan

    (Peking University)

  • Smith, James P.

    (RAND)

  • Sun, Xiaoting

    (Peking University)

  • Zhao, Yaohui

    (Peking University)

Abstract

In this paper, we model gender differences in cognitive ability in China using a new sample of middle-aged and older Chinese respondents. Modeled after the American Health and Retirement Survey (HRS), CHARLS respondents are 45 years and older and are nationally representative of the Chinese population in this age span. Our measures of cognition in CHARLS relies on two measures that proxy for different dimensions of adult cognition – episodic memory and intact mental status. We relate these cognitive measures to adult health and SES outcomes during the adult years. We find large cognitive differences to the detriment of women that were mitigated by large gender differences in education among these generations of Chinese people. These gender differences in cognition are especially concentrated in the older age groups and poorer communities within the sample. We also investigated historical, geographical, and cultural characteristics of communities to understand how they impact cognition. Economic development and environmental improvement such as having electricity, increase in wage per capita and green coverage ratio generally contribute to higher cognition ability. Women benefit more from the fruits of development – electricity and growth of green coverage ratio are conducive to lessening female disadvantage in cognition.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei, Xiaoyan & Smith, James P. & Sun, Xiaoting & Zhao, Yaohui, 2013. "Gender Differences in Cognition in China and Reasons for Change over Time: Evidence from CHARLS," IZA Discussion Papers 7536, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7536
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaoyan Lei & Yuqing Hu & John J. McArdle & James P. Smith & Yaohui Zhao, 2012. "Gender Differences in Cognition among Older Adults in China," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 47(4), pages 951-971.
    2. María-Victoria Zunzunegui & Beatriz E. Alvarado & Teodoro Del Ser & Angel Otero, 2003. "Social Networks, Social Integration, and Social Engagement Determine Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling Spanish Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 58(2), pages 93-100.
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    6. James P. Smith & Yan Shen & John Strauss & Yang Zhe & Yaohui Zhao, 2012. "The Effects of Childhood Health on Adult Health and SES in China," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 61(1), pages 127-156.
    7. Strauss, John & Thomas, Duncan, 2008. "Health over the Life Course," Handbook of Development Economics, in: T. Paul Schultz & John A. Strauss (ed.), Handbook of Development Economics, edition 1, volume 4, chapter 54, pages 3375-3474, Elsevier.
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    Cited by:

    1. Luo, Ye & Pan, Xi & Zhang, Zhenmei, 2019. "Productive activities and cognitive decline among older adults in China: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 96-105.
    2. Smith, James P., 2021. "The HRS around the world surveys—A review," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 18(C).
    3. Yu, Dandan & Fiebig, Denzil G., 2020. "Internet use and cognition among middle-aged and older adults in China: A cross-lagged panel analysis," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 17(C).
    4. Rafael NOVELLA & Javier OLIVERA, 2014. "Mental retirement and non-contributory pensions for the elderly poor in Peru," Working Papers of Department of Economics, Leuven ces14.05, KU Leuven, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Department of Economics, Leuven.
    5. Langa, Kenneth M. & Larson, Eric B., 2014. "Education, brain health, and improving life opportunities for women," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 4(C), pages 56-58.
    6. John Strauss & Firman Witoelar & Qinqin Meng & Xinxin Chen & Yaohui Zhao & Bondan Sikoki & Yafeng Wang, 2018. "Cognition and SES Relationships Among the Mid-Aged and Elderly: A Comparison of China and Indonesia," NBER Working Papers 24583, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Pan, Yao, 2020. "Late-life cognition: Do childhood conditions play any role?," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    8. Liu, Gordon G. & Xue, Xindong & Yu, Chenxi & Wang, Yafeng, 2016. "How does social capital matter to the health status of older adults? Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 177-189.
    9. Liu, Pihui & Han, Chuanfeng & Teng, Minmin, 2022. "Does clean cooking energy improve mental health? Evidence from China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    10. Hamid R. Oskorouchi & Alfonso Sousa-Poza & David E. Bloom, 2020. "The Long-Term Cognitive and Schooling Effects of Childhood Vaccinations in China," NBER Working Papers 27217, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    11. Smith, James P. & Strauss, John & Zhao, Yaohui, 2014. "Healthy aging in China," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 4(C), pages 37-43.
    12. Lei, Lei & Wu, Fengyu & Xia, Yiming, 2023. "Child Gender and Subjective Well-being of Older Parents in China," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1229, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    13. Bai, Jin & Tang, Jue & Xie, Qiang, 2022. "Does children’s marriage matter for parents' mental health？Evidence from China," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    14. Collin F. Payne & Iliana V. Kohler & Chiwoza Bandawe & Kathy Lawler & Hans-Peter Kohler, 2018. "Cognition, Health, and Well-Being in a Rural Sub-Saharan African Population," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 34(4), pages 637-662, October.
    15. Qianping Ren & Maoliang Ye, 2017. "Losing children and mental well-being: evidence from China," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(12), pages 868-877, July.
    16. Rafael Novella & Javier Olivera, 2019. "Gender Differences in Cognitive Abilities Among the Elderly Poor of Peru," Revista Economía, Fondo Editorial - Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, vol. 42(83), pages 95-109.
    17. Ma, Mingming, 2019. "Does children's education matter for parents’ health and cognition? Evidence from China," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 222-240.
    18. Qi, Yaqiang & Xiong, Yajie, 2023. "Intercohort upsurge of cognitive ability among the general population in China: Evaluating a Flynn effect," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    19. Teresa Molina, 2016. "Reporting Heterogeneity and Health Disparities Across Gender and Education Levels: Evidence From Four Countries," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 53(2), pages 295-323, April.
    20. Kesavayuth, Dusanee & Liang, Yufang & Zikos, Vasileios, 2018. "An active lifestyle and cognitive function: Evidence from China," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 12(C), pages 183-191.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cognition; China;

    JEL classification:

    • H10 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - General

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