Citation

Wang LC. J. Popul. Econ. 2016; 29(2): 345-364.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Springer International)

DOI

10.1007/s00148-015-0575-7

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper offers a novel explanation for why even high-performing individuals may have a high suicidal tendency when preferences are reference-dependent. Using survey data of South Korean secondary school students, this paper demonstrates that the relationship between suicidal ideation and test performance is consistent with the reference-dependent explanation. When a student's rank in the high-stakes College Scholastic Ability Test falls below her expectation, she exhibits a higher likelihood of having suicidal ideation. The findings highlight the potentially adverse consequences of disappointment in high-stakes testing and suggest that the risk of suicide may be significant among high achievers too. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Language: en

Keywords

Mental health; Suicidal ideation; Academic achievement; Anchoring; Reference-dependent preferences