Struggling in the Land of Opportunity: Population Heterogeneity in the Effect of Social Mobility on Health

• In Event: 2184 - Section on Medical Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 03. Social Mobility and Intergenerational Processes

Abstract

Abstract: Recent empirical research shows that rates of intergenerational mobility as measured by absolute income has dramatically declined over recent decades, suggesting a larger percentage of the population is experiencing downward mobility and social stagnation. Given this alarming trend, this research contributes to a growing body of work focused on understanding the health consequences of social mobility through the exploration of population and life course heterogeneity in the effect of social mobility on health and well-being. Using nationally representative data from the General Social Survey (N=40693) and a novel statistical technique (Diagonal Mobility Models) to isolate the effects of social mobility on health, this research demonstrates evidence of substantial racial heterogeneity in the effects of social mobility on happiness and self-rated health. Specifically, I find that the negative consequences of downwardly mobility on happiness and health are more pronounced among whites, and that upward mobility appears to be associated with decreased health and happiness among blacks. In addition, preliminary findings suggest that the negative consequences of downward mobility are most pronounced in the midlife (ages 45-54). These findings are discussed in relation to the growing trend in ‘deaths of despair’ among middle aged non-Hispanic whites, as well in relation to the need to better understand the complex relationship between race, socioeconomic position and health.

Author

• Jake Tarrence, Ohio State University