The lasting consequences of childhood sexual abuse on human capital and economic well-being

Citation

Henkhaus, Laura E. (2022). The lasting consequences of childhood sexual abuse on human capital and economic well-being. Health Economics. , PMCID: PMC9544868

Abstract

Childhood sexual abuse is a prevalent problem, yet understanding of later-in-life outcomes is limited due to unobservable determinants. I examine impacts on human capital and economic well-being by estimating likely ranges around causal effects, using a nationally representative U.S. sample. Findings suggest that childhood sexual abuse leads to lower educational attainment and worse labor market outcomes. Results are robust to partial identification methods applying varying assumptions about unobservable confounding, using information on confounding from observables including other types of child abuse. I show that associations between childhood sexual abuse and education outcomes and earnings are at least as large for males as for females. Childhood sexual abuse by someone other than a caregiver is as influential or more so than caregiver sexual abuse in predicting worse outcomes. Considering the societal burden of childhood sexual abuse, findings could inform policy and resource allocation decisions for development and implementation of best practices for prevention and support.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1002/hec.4557

Keyword(s)

sexual abuse

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Health Economics

Author(s)

Henkhaus, Laura E.

Year Published

2022

ISSN/ISBN

1057-9230

DOI

10.1002/hec.4557

PMCID

PMC9544868

Reference ID

9740