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on Neuroeconomics |
| By: | Da, Linlin (Georgia State University); Jin, Zhezheng (Columbia University); Xu, Qianhui (New York University); Renzi-Hammond, Lisa M. (University of Georgia); Chen, Zhuo (DHHS); Khan, M. Mahmud (University of Georgia); Rajbhandari-Thapa, Janani (University of Georgia); Chen, Xi (Yale University); Wu, Bei (New York University); Song, Suhang (Georgia State University) |
| Abstract: | This study examines how SNAP participation may affect age-related cognitive decline among cognitively intact older adults over 10 years. Leveraging a longitudinal survey of SNAP-eligible participants in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) collected biennially from 2010 to 2020, we estimate the relationship between SNAP participation and cognitive decline across different population groups. We show that SNAP participation is associated with a slower cognitive decline in global cognition, memory, and executive function. A significant three?way interaction among SNAP participation, race/ethnicity, and time indicates faster decline in global cognition among Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic SNAP users. Our findings suggest that SNAP participation may help slow age-related cognitive decline. However, the benefits of SNAP vary across different population groups. Policies promoting equitable access to SNAP benefits have significant potential to improve cognitive health across diverse populations. |
| Keywords: | cognitive decline, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), longitudinal study, disparity |
| JEL: | H53 I38 J14 I18 H75 |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18150 |
| By: | Mohammad Abdullah Al Faisal |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the relationship between informal caregiving and both cognitive functioning and healthcare utilization among older adults with dementia. Using data from the RAND version of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative longitudinal panel of U.S. adults over age 50, covering the years 2010 to 2022, I estimate Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Instrumental Variables (IV) models to address potential endogeneity in caregiving decisions. The number of children is employed as an instrument for informal care intensity. While OLS estimates suggest a negative association between informal caregiving and cognition, IV estimates show no significant causal effect after controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and lagged cognition variables. In contrast, IV results indicate that informal care significantly reduces the likelihood of nursing home use, the number of institutional nights, and the probability of institutionalization. No robust causal effects are found for hospital use, doctor visits, or outpatient surgery, although there is some suggestive evidence of a complementary relationship between informal care and home health services. These findings highlight the role of informal caregiving in substituting for institutional care and underscore its importance in long-term care policy for dementia patients. Keywords: Informal Caregiving; Cognitive Decline; Instrumental Variables; Healthcare Utilization: Dementia Patients. |
| Date: | 2025–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2509.18468 |
| By: | Saraswat, Deepak (University of Connecticut); Sabarwal, Shwetlena (World Bank); Lacey, Lindsey (Allegheny County Department of Human Services); Jha, Natasha (University of Notre Dame); Prakash, Nishith (Northeastern University); Cohen, Rachel (University of Connecticut) |
| Abstract: | Nearly 200 million children under five in low- and middle-income countries face developmental deficits despite growing access to early childhood services. We report evidence from a randomized controlled trial (N=3, 131 children in 201 schools) in Nepal’s government system that tested three models combining classroom quality with parental engagement. All teachers received a 15-day training on pedagogy, standards, and caregiver outreach, after which schools were randomly assigned to models where caregiver sessions were led by teachers alone, teachers supported with in-class helpers, or external facilitators. The program raised children’s developmental outcomes by 0.10–0.20 standard deviations and improved caregiver engagement by similar magnitudes, with strongest effects when teachers received support that preserved classroom quality while engaging families. Gains were concentrated among disadvantaged households, underscoring the potential to reduce early inequalities. Mechanism analysis shows that the program shifted home and school inputs from substitutes to complements, creating reinforcing pathways for child development. |
| Keywords: | non-cognitive skills, cognitive skills, early childhood development, Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Nepal |
| JEL: | J13 J24 I21 I24 O15 |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18159 |
| By: | Wanda Schleder (Johannes-Gutenberg University, Germany) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the effectiveness of a factorial intervention aimed at improving emotional skills done at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in the winter-semester 2023/2024. The four intervention components, mindfulness, emotional regulation, self-acceptance, and resource activation, were evaluated with respect to their impact on emotional skills and other well-being outcomes. Due to a high dropout rate, no definitive conclusions can be drawn about the optimal composition of training components. However, resource activation shows a significantly positive effect on stress and a depression-related score. The findings also indicate that the Big Five personality traits play a crucial role in determining outcome variables. In addition, several approaches to estimating treatment effects were compared. The results suggest that a regression approach that directly accounts for all intervention factors and baseline scores should be preferred over simpler effect size measures. |
| Keywords: | non-cognitive skills, emotional skill intervention, factorial experiment, effect sizes |
| JEL: | C93 I10 I19 I31 J24 |
| Date: | 2025–10–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jgu:wpaper:2507 |
| By: | Lammers, Wouter; Puimège, Eva; Pattyn, Valérie; Van de Walle, Steven |
| Abstract: | Civil servants often have to make decisions supported by uncertain information, yet it remains unclear how they prioritize different types of uncertainty. We distinguish shallow, quantified uncertainty from deep, ambiguous uncertainty. Ambiguity aversion suggests that shallow uncertainty information will distract attention away from deep uncertainty information, potentially leading to overconfident decisions. This eye-tracking study investigates how civil servants read and use deep and shallow uncertainty information regarding a procurement decision. Contrary to expectations, we find that shallow uncertainty does not distract from deep uncertainty but boosts concentration towards it. The presence of shallow uncertainty impacts decision-making but not decision confidence. |
| Date: | 2025–10–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:cpyra_v1 |
| By: | Yangyang Li |
| Abstract: | The Oregon Health Insurance Experiment (OHIE) offers a unique opportunity to examine the causal relationship between Medicaid coverage and happiness among low-income adults, using an experimental design. This study leverages data from comprehensive surveys conducted at 0 and 12 months post-treatment. Previous studies based on OHIE have shown that individuals receiving Medicaid exhibited a significant improvement in mental health compared to those who did not receive coverage. The primary objective is to explore how Medicaid coverage impacts happiness, specifically analyzing in which direction variations in healthcare spending significantly improve mental health: higher spending or lower spending after Medicaid. Utilizing instrumental variable (IV) regression, I conducted six separate regressions across subgroups categorized by expenditure levels and happiness ratings, and the results reveal distinct patterns. Enrolling in OHP has significantly decreased the probability of experiencing unhappiness, regardless of whether individuals had high or low medical spending. Additionally, it decreased the probability of being pretty happy and having high medical expenses, while increasing the probability among those with lower expenses. Concerning the probability of being very happy, the OHP only had a positive effect on being very happy and spending less, and its effect on those with high expenses was insignificant. These findings align with the benefit of Medicaid: alleviating financial burden, contributing to the well-being of distinct subgroups. |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2510.14909 |