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School Closures and Parental Mental Health

Author

Listed:
  • Sumedha Gupta
  • Dario Salcedo
  • Kosali I. Simon

Abstract

Schools enhance the lives of families in various ways, and one potential consequence of their closures is worsened parental well-being. We study the effects of COVID-19 pandemic school closures on parental mental health by measuring consumption of products that are often used to cope with increased stress and depression. Using a cohort based difference in difference (DID) design and commercial claims data, we find an increase in maternal anti-depressant use by 1.5%, in zip codes with above median school closures; there are no statistically significant effects for paternal antidepressant use, and we are able to rule out fairly small values. Some parents may "self-medicate" as a coping mechanism rather than seek formal medical care. Using a county based DID design and retail scanner data, we find alcohol sales increased by 2% in counties with above median school closures. Both anti-depressant prescriptions and alcohol sales returned to base line levels as in-person schooling resumed. We explore whether the burdens of school closures were disparately concentrated in minoritized communities, and find that anti-depressant and alcohol use increases were concentrated in zip codes with above median Black and Asian populations, but not in zip codes with a predominantly White or Hispanic population. Overall, these results suggest that the school system plays an important role in maintaining population mental well-being outcomes and in helping families cope with stress.

Suggested Citation

  • Sumedha Gupta & Dario Salcedo & Kosali I. Simon, 2024. "School Closures and Parental Mental Health," NBER Working Papers 32516, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32516
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    JEL classification:

    • I0 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - General

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