What a drag it is getting old? Mental health and loneliness beyond age 50

C-Tier
Journal: Applied Economics
Year: 2021
Volume: 53
Issue: 31
Pages: 3563-3576

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 0.5x C-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper studies mental health and loneliness in the Netherlands for individuals beyond age 50. The analysis is based on panel data over the period 2008 to 2018 and focuses on the effects of life events and ageing. It appears that mental health gets worse and loneliness increases if individuals lose their partner (through divorce or death) or become unemployed. On average, the mental health of males and high educated females improves at retirement. With respect to ageing, the main conclusions are that mental health improves while loneliness goes down at least up to the high 70s. From the perspective of mental health and loneliness, it does not seem to be a drag getting old.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:taf:applec:v:53:y:2021:i:31:p:3563-3576
Journal Field
General
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29