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Prosocial Behavior and Health

Paper Session

Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017 3:15 PM – 5:15 PM

Swissotel Chicago, Montreux 3
Hosted By: Association for the Study of Generosity in Economics
  • Chair: Mark Wilhelm, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Impact of Volunteering on Cognitive Health of the Elderly

Sumedha Gupta
,
Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis

Abstract

Cognitive decline among the elderly imposes a huge welfare and health care cost on the individual as well as society. Little however is known about factors that can mitigate cognitive decline. Using seven waves of the Health and Retirement Study, this study estimates the causal effects of pro-social engagement, specifically volunteering, on old age cognitive decline. Although cognitive decline is an inevitable aspect of aging, our results suggest that volunteering participation by those 60 years and older, can forestall its progress. Financial implications of volunteering for cognitive health among the elderly along with policy implications are discussed.

Religion and Depression in Adolescence

Jane Cooley Fruehwirth
,
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Sriya Iyer
,
University of Cambridge
Anwen Zhang
,
London School of Economics and Political Science

Abstract

Depression is the leading cause of illness and disability in adolescence. Many studies show a correlation between religiosity and mental health, yet the question remains whether the link is causal. The key issue is selection into religiosity. We exploit plausibly random variation in adolescents' peers to shift religiosity independently of individual-level unobservables that might affect depression, and show conditions such that an individual effect of religiosity is separated from the potential direct effect of peers. Using a nationally representative sample of adolescents in the US, we find robust effects of religiosity on depression, that are particularly strong for the most depressed. We demonstrate that these effects are not driven by the school social context. We find that religiosity buffers against stressors, possibly through improved psychological resources and religion-based support structures. This has implications especially for effective mental health policy.

Don't Take "No" for an Answer: An Experiment With Actual Organ Donor Registrations

Judd B. Kessler
,
University of Pennsylvania

Abstract

Over 10,000 people in the U.S. die each year while waiting for an organ. Attempts to increase organ transplantation have focused on changing the registration question from an opt-in frame to an active choice frame. We analyze this change in California and show it decreased registration rates. Similarly, a "field in the lab" experiment run on actual organ donor registration decisions finds no increase in registrations resulting from an active choice frame. In addition, individuals are more likely to support donating the organs of a deceased who did not opt-in than one who said "no" in an active choice frame.
Discussant(s)
Gopi Shah Goda
,
Stanford University
Daniel Chen
,
Toulouse School of Economics
Mario Macis
,
Johns Hopkins University
JEL Classifications
  • D6 - Welfare Economics
  • I1 - Health