Mental Health Costs of Lockdowns: Evidence from Age-Specific Curfews in Turkey
66 Pages Posted: 16 Jan 2021 Last revised: 20 Feb 2021
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Mental Health Costs of Lockdowns: Evidence from Age-Specific Curfews in Turkey
Mental Health Costs of Lockdowns: Evidence from Age-Specific Curfews in Turkey
Date Written: November 6, 2020
Abstract
Using a strict, age-specific lockdown order for adults aged 65 and older in Turkey, we examine the mental health consequences of an extended period of tight mobility restrictions on senior adults. Adopting a regression discontinuity design, we find that the curfew-induced decline in mobility substantially worsened mental health outcomes, including somatic and nonsomatic symptoms of mental distress (ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 standard deviations). Exploring potential channels, we document an increase in social and physical isolation, with no evidence of robust changes in labor market outcomes or intrahousehold conflict for this subpopulation.
Keywords: COVID-19, lockdown, mobility, mental health, Turkey, senior population
JEL Classification: I18, I31, O15
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation