Blanchflower, David G. and Oswald, Andrew J. (2016) Antidepressants and age : a new form of evidence for U-shaped well-being through life. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 127 . pp. 46-58. doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2016.04.010

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Abstract

A growing literature argues that mental well-being follows an approximate U-shape through life. Yet in the eyes of some scholars this evidence remains controversial. The reason is that it relies on people's answers to 'happiness' surveys. The present paper explores a different approach. It examines modern data on the use of antidepressant pills (as an implicit signal of mental distress) in 27 European nations. The regression-adjusted probability of using antidepressants reaches a peak in people's late 40s. This pattern – one that does not rely on well-being survey answers – is thus consistent with the claim that human beings experience a midlife low.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Antidepressants, Midlife crisis, Happiness -- Testing
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
Publisher:	Elsevier BV * North-Holland
ISSN:	0167-2681
Official Date:	July 2016
Dates:	Date Event July 2016 Published 13 April 2016 Available 10 April 2016 Accepted 11 November 2015 Submitted
Volume:	127
Page Range:	pp. 46-58
DOI:	10.1016/j.jebo.2016.04.010
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Related URLs:	Other

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