Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 26, 2025

Author Spotlight: Understanding Adolescent Social Adversity Effects on Neurodevelopment in Mice
Published on: March 15, 2024
The average and distributional effects of teenage adversity on long-term health
Jie Gong1, Yi Lu2, Huihua Xie3
1Department of Strategy and Policy, National University of Singapore, 15 Kent Ridge Drive, Singapore 119245, Singapore.
Abstract:
A central question in human development is what causes health inequalities over the life cycle. This paper links adversity in the teen years to individuals' long-term health outcomes. We examine a mandatory rustication program, the "send-down" policy during China's Cultural Revolution, and employ a regression discontinuity design to estimate the impact on individuals' physical and mental health outcomes 40 years later. Our results suggest that rusticated youths were more likely to develop mental disorders but not to have worse physical outcomes. Further assessing distributional effects through marginal treatment effect (MTE), we find strong heterogeneous treatment effects and selection on gains.
Related Concept Videos
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Adler's Individual Psychology

