The effects of children's departure, financial development, and internet access on mental health and obesity: evidence from China

Qu, Yibei (2025). The effects of children's departure, financial development, and internet access on mental health and obesity: evidence from China. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

The impact of a rapidly developing economy and dramatically changing social structure on the health and well-being of Chinese citizens has received increasing attention. In this thesis, we examine how key socioeconomic factors affect the physical and mental health of Chinese individuals. Specifically, we focus on three main areas: the impact of young leaver on depression, the effects of financial development on mental health, and the relationship between internet use and overweight/obesity.
In Chapter 2, we explore the impact of the departure of young family members on the mental health of the left-behind older household members. Using data from the 2011 and 2013 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), our findings challenge the conventional belief that the departure of younger family members worsens the mental health of older adults. Instead, we discover that the mental health of those left behind improves following the departure of a member of younger generation aged 25 or above. This improvement in mental well-being can be attributed to the benefits associated with increased consumption and financial transfers, which outweigh the negative impact of losing household members. Our study contributes to the existing literature by examining how broader family structure changes and the characteristics of the young leavers influence mental health outcomes.
In Chapter 3, we evaluate the extent to which local financial development influences the prevalence of depression in China. To assess the effects of financial development, we combine the CHARLS dataset covering the period from 2011 to 2018 with a unique set of city-level financial development indicators, including key dimensions of financial depth, accessibility, and digitalisation. Our analysis reveals a significant positive relationship between financial development and the mental health of the local population. Specifically, a 10 % increase in the ratio of a city’s total bank and non-bank loans to its gross regional product (GRP) is associated with a 3.6 percentage point reduction in the likelihood of exhibiting depressive symptoms. Further investigation suggests that financial development improves mental health by alleviating the financial constraints that individuals face.
In Chapter 4, we examine the relationship between Internet use and overweight/obesity in China, focusing on both children and adults. Drawing on data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) over the period 2004 to 2018, we investigate how Internet usage impacts weight gain. We find that there is a significant positive correlation between Internet use and the likelihood of being overweight or obese, especially among children. Adults (children) face a 1.8 (7.9) percentage point higher risk of being overweight than those who do not use the internet. This effect is especially pronounced in rural areas, where Internet penetration has grown rapidly. Our analysis also highlights three key mechanisms through which Internet use contributes to weight gain: increased consumption of unhealthy foods, reduced physical activity due to prolonged sedentary behaviour, and sleep deprivation.
Chinese residents are facing an increasingly severe mental health crisis, while the growing epidemic of overweight /obesity issue also poses a significant threat to public health. We present three separate studies that offer new insights into the impact of young leavers, financial development, and Internet use on both mental and physical health outcomes. The findings from this thesis contribute empirical evidence that is crucial for informing policy interventions aimed at improving the overall well-being of the Chinese population.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):