In sickness and in health? Health shocks and relationship breakdown: Empirical evidence from Germany
Bünnings C, Hafner L, Reif S, Tauchmann H (2021)
Publication Language: English
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2021
Journal
Book Volume: 190
Pages Range: 164-190
DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2021.07.029
Abstract
From an economic perspective, marriage and long-term partnership can be seen as a risk-pooling device. This informal insurance contract is, however, not fully enforceable. Each partner is free to leave when his or her support is needed in case of an adverse life event. An adverse health shock is a prominent example for such events. Since relationship breakdown itself is an extremely stressful experience, partnership may backfire as informal insurance against health risks, if health shocks increase the likelihood of relationship breakdown. We address this question empirically, using survey data from Germany. Results from various matching estimators indicate that adverse shocks to mental health substantially increase the probability of a couple splitting up over the following two years. In contrast, there is little effect of a sharp decrease in physical health on relationship stability. If at all, physical health shocks that hit both partners simultaneously stabilize a relationship.
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APA:
Bünnings, C., Hafner, L., Reif, S., & Tauchmann, H. (2021). In sickness and in health? Health shocks and relationship breakdown: Empirical evidence from Germany. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 190, 164-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2021.07.029
MLA:
Bünnings, Christian, et al. "In sickness and in health? Health shocks and relationship breakdown: Empirical evidence from Germany." Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization 190 (2021): 164-190.
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