Maternal depression and child human capital: A genetic instrumental-variable approach

Giorgia Menta; Anthony Lepinteur; Andrew Clark; Simone Ghislandi; Conchita D'Ambrosio

doi:10.1101/2021.02.11.21251547

Maternal depression and child human capital: A genetic instrumental-variable approach

Giorgia Menta, Anthony Lepinteur, Andrew Clark, Simone Ghislandi, Conchita D'Ambrosio

Research output: Working paper

Abstract

We here address the causal relationship between maternal depression and child human capital using UK cohort data. We exploit the conditionally-exogenous variation in mothers’ genomes in an instrumental-variable approach, and describe the conditions under which mother’s genetic variants can be used as valid instruments. An additional episode of maternal depression between the child’s birth up to age nine reduces both their cognitive and non-cognitive skills by 20 to 45% of a SD throughout adolescence. Our results are robust to a battery of sensitivity tests addressing, among others, concerns about pleiotropy and the maternal transmission of genes to her child.

Original language	English
Publisher	MedRxiv
Number of pages	52
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.11.21251547
Publication status	Published - 12 Feb 2021
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

MedRxiv is a free online archive and distribution server for complete but unpublished manuscripts (preprints) in the medical, clinical, and related health sciences.

Keywords

Mendelian Randomisation
Maternal Depression
Human Capital
Instrumental Variables
ALSPAC

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10.1101/2021.02.11.21251547Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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AU - Lepinteur, Anthony

AU - Clark, Andrew

AU - Ghislandi, Simone

AU - D'Ambrosio, Conchita

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KW - Human Capital

KW - Instrumental Variables

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Maternal depression and child human capital: A genetic instrumental-variable approach

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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