Work

Does Grief Transfer across Generations? Bereavements during Pregnancy and Child Outcomes

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Using population data from Norway, we examine the effects of stress induced by the death of the mother's parent during pregnancy on both the short-run and the long-run outcomes of the infant. Using a variety of empirical strategies to address the issue of nonrandom exposure to death during a pregnancy, we find small negative effects on birth outcomes. However, we find no evidence of adverse effects on adult outcomes. This suggests that, though there may be measurable effects on birth outcomes, acute psychological stressors during pregnancy have limited adverse consequences for the child's success in education and the labor market. (JEL I12, J13, J16)

Source: American Economic Journal Applied Economics

DOI: 10.1257/app.20140262

Authors: Sandra E. Black, Paul J. Devereux, Kjell G. Salvanes

Institutions: National Bureau of Economic Research, IZA - Institute of Labor Economics, The University of Texas at Austin, Norwegian School of Economics, University College Dublin

Language: English

Topic: Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2238112042

FWCI: 15.32

Cites: 36

Cited by: 138

Related to: 10