Anti-Bullying Laws and Suicidal Behaviors Among Teenagers

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Rees, Daniel, I; Sabia, Joseph J.; Kumpas, Gokhan
• 署名单位: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid; California State University System; San Diego State University; California State University System; San Diego State University; California State University System; California State University Los Angeles
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF POLICY ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1520-6731
• DOI: 10.1002/pam.22405
• 发表日期: 2022
• 页码: 787-823
• 关键词: developmental differences; SEXUAL ORIENTATION; gender-differences; Cigarette Taxes; social support; middle school; MENTAL-HEALTH; UNITED-STATES; youth; RISK

摘要

The CDC reports that the association between bullying and suicides among teenagers has generated concern, even panic, but policies aimed at combatting bullying have received little attention from researchers. Using a difference-in-differences estimation strategy, we find that state-level anti-bullying laws (ABLs) reduce bullying victimization, depression, and suicidal ideation, with the largest estimated effects for female teenagers and teenagers who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning. In addition, ABLs are associated with a 13 to 16 percent reduction in the suicide rate of female 14- through 18-year-olds. Event-study analyses and falsification tests provide evidence that these estimates can be interpreted causally.