<h3>Abstract</h3> We analyze whether field of study assigned at age 16 impacts mental health in adulthood. Using a regression discontinuity design that exploits GPA cutoffs, we find that admission to a preferred STEM field improves mental health, lowering both the incidence of antidepressant prescriptions and of mental health-related hospitalizations. As for mechanisms, suggestive evidence indicate that earnings explain about 40% of the estimates, but earlier proposed hypotheses based on schoolage peer characteristics such as ability rank, female shares or peer ability levels, have little explanatory power. Our findings imply that restrictions on individuals' choices entail costs that may have been underestimated.

Anders Stenberg

Simona Tudor

The Journal of Human Resources

The Journal of Human Resources is among the leading journals in empirical microeconomics. Intended for scholars, policy makers, and practitioners, each issue examines research in a variety of fields including labor economics, development economics, health economics, and the economics of education, discrimination, and retirement. Founded in 1965, the Journal of Human Resources features articles that make scientific contributions in research relevant to public policy practitioners.

The Journal of Human Resources is one of the leading journals in empirical microeconomics. Aimed at scholars, policymakers, and practitioners, each issue explores research across various fields, including labor economics, development economics, health economics, and the economics of education, discrimination, and retirement. Founded in 1965, the Journal of Human Resources features articles that make significant scientific contributions to research relevant to public policy practitioners.

《Journal of Human Resources》是实证微观经济学领域的领先期刊之一。该期刊面向学者、政策制定者和从业者，每期都探讨包括劳动经济学、发展经济学、健康经济学、教育经济学、歧视和退休经济学等多个领域的研究。自1965年创刊以来，《Journal of Human Resources》发表的文章在与公共政策相关的研究中做出了重要的科学贡献。

Category	Quartile
经济学	1
经济学, 经济学	1
经济学, 劳动关系学	1

Field of Study and Mental Health in Adulthood

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS & LABOR	1