The effect of local area crime on mental health

Publication type

Journal Article

Authors

Publication date

April 22, 2015

Summary:

This study analyses the effect of local crime rates on residents' mental
health. Using longitudinal information on individuals' mental
well-being, we address the problem of sorting and endogenous moving
behaviour. We find that crime causes considerable mental distress for
residents, primarily driven by property crime. Effects are stronger for
females, and mainly related to depression and anxiety. The distress
caused by one SD increase in local crime is 2–4 times larger than that
caused by a 1 SD decrease in local employment, and about one-seventh of
the short-term impact of the 7 July 2005 London Bombings.

Published in

Economic Journal

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ecoj.12205

ISSN

130133

Subjects

Notes

Online Early

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