Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Working Paper Series,
Research Institute of Industrial Economics

No 1435: PhD Studies Hurt Mental Health, But Less than Previously Feared

Matti Keloharju, Samuli Knüpfer, Dagmar Müller and Joacim Tåg ()
Additional contact information
Matti Keloharju: Aalto University, Postal: and Research Institute of Industrial Economics, Box 55665, SE-102 15 Stockholm, Sweden
Samuli Knüpfer: Aalto U(niversity School of Business, Postal: and Research Institute of Industrial Economics, Box 55665, SE-102 15 Stockholm, Sweden
Dagmar Müller: Swedish Public Employment Service
Joacim Tåg: Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN), Postal: Research Institute of Industrial Economics, Box 55665, SE-102 15 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: We study the mental health of PhD students in Sweden using comprehensive administrative data on prescriptions, specialist care visits, hospitalizations, and causes of death. We find that about 7% (5%) of PhD students receive medication or diagnosis for depression (anxiety) in a given year. These prevalence rates are less than one-third of the earlier reported survey-based estimates, and even after adjusting for difference in methodology, 43% (72%) of the rates in the literature. Nevertheless, PhD students still fare worse than their peers not pursuing graduate studies. Our difference-in-differences research design attributes all of this health disadvantage to the time in the PhD program. This deterioration suggests doctoral studies causally affect mental health.

Keywords: PhD Studies; Mental Health; Depression; Anxiety; Suicide

JEL-codes: A23; I10; I23; I29; I31

Language: English

37 pages, First version: August 12, 2022. Revised: June 29, 2024. Earlier revisions: December 6, 2023.

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