From unequal injuries to unequal learning? Socioeconomic gradients in childhood concussions and the impact on children's academic performance
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From unequal injuries to unequal learning? Socioeconomic gradients in childhood concussions and the impact on children's academic performance. / Blaabæk, Ea Hoppe; Andersen, Lars Højsgaard; Fallesen, Peter .
In: Social Science and Medicine, Vol. 341, 116524, 2024.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - From unequal injuries to unequal learning?
T2 - Socioeconomic gradients in childhood concussions and the impact on children's academic performance
AU - Blaabæk, Ea Hoppe
AU - Andersen, Lars Højsgaard
AU - Fallesen, Peter
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Previous research identifies stark socioeconomic disparities in child injuries, yet research on the repercussions hereof on other aspects of children's lives remains sparse. This paper tests whether social gradients in minor traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs or concussions) contribute to corresponding inequalities in children's academic performance. Previous research on this topic is mostly based on small samples and confounded by non-random selection into experiencing mTBIs. We improve on prior research by using high quality, large N, administrative registry data. Further, we control for selection into having an mTBI via comparing the test score progression of children having an mTBI with children who experience an mTBI in later years (staggered difference-in-differences). Based on Danish ER/hospital records and national test score data, we find that children from families with lower earnings and less education are more likely to experience an mTBI and that having an mTBI negatively correlates with reading test scores. However, comparing present with future mTBI cases, we show that having an mTBI within a year before a test does not negatively affect children's reading scores. Our findings suggest that negative correlations between mTBIs and academic performance more likely reflect socioeconomic gradients in mTBI incidents rather than a direct causal effect. Further, socioeconomic gradients in mTBI incidents do not significantly contribute to corresponding disparities in academic performance.
AB - Previous research identifies stark socioeconomic disparities in child injuries, yet research on the repercussions hereof on other aspects of children's lives remains sparse. This paper tests whether social gradients in minor traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs or concussions) contribute to corresponding inequalities in children's academic performance. Previous research on this topic is mostly based on small samples and confounded by non-random selection into experiencing mTBIs. We improve on prior research by using high quality, large N, administrative registry data. Further, we control for selection into having an mTBI via comparing the test score progression of children having an mTBI with children who experience an mTBI in later years (staggered difference-in-differences). Based on Danish ER/hospital records and national test score data, we find that children from families with lower earnings and less education are more likely to experience an mTBI and that having an mTBI negatively correlates with reading test scores. However, comparing present with future mTBI cases, we show that having an mTBI within a year before a test does not negatively affect children's reading scores. Our findings suggest that negative correlations between mTBIs and academic performance more likely reflect socioeconomic gradients in mTBI incidents rather than a direct causal effect. Further, socioeconomic gradients in mTBI incidents do not significantly contribute to corresponding disparities in academic performance.
KW - Academic performance
KW - Childhood injuries
KW - Concussion
KW - Difference-in-differences
KW - Inequality
KW - mTBI
KW - Registry data
KW - Selection
KW - Test scores
U2 - 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116524
DO - 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116524
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 38160605
AN - SCOPUS:85181128697
VL - 341
JO - Social Science & Medicine
JF - Social Science & Medicine
SN - 0277-9536
M1 - 116524
ER -
ID: 378819438