Socio-Economic Panel Research Articles

Discrimination against migrants: does social capital moderate harmful effects on mental health?

Abstract The harmful mental health effects of perceived discrimination are well established. Yet, the role of regional-level social capital in mitigating these effects remains underexplored. Using data from the German Socioeconomic Panel (SOEP; 2010-2021) we apply random effects models to assess the effect of perceived discrimination on mental health (mcs subscale of the SF-12) adjusting for individual socio-demographic factors and regional-level socioeconomic deprivation. We assess interaction with general social capital (civic organisations, electoral turnout, generalised trust) and migrant-specific resources (proportion of non-nationals and share of far-right votes). We juxtapose non-refugee migrants (n = 13478) with refugees subject to mobility restrictions (n = 5558) to assess for bias introduced by selective mobility into regions. In the non-refugee sample, we confirm negative effects of frequent discrimination experiences on mcs (ß: -3.74; 95%CI: -4.39, -3.08). Moderation analyses show insignificant results for general social capital, but a negative interaction effect of proportion of non-nationals (ß: -0.71; 95%CI: -1.34, -0.08). Analyses among refugees confirm the negative effect of discrimination on mcs (ß: -6.29; 95%CI: -7.49, -5.08) and the moderating effect of the proportion of non-nationals (ß: -1.63; 95%CI: -2.78, -0.48), as well as showing a positive moderation effect for generalised trust (ß: 0.84; 95%CI: 0.11-1.57). Results demonstrate the negative implications of living in areas with a high proportion of non-nationals for migrants experiencing discrimination, which may be explained by the higher marginalisation of migrants in these areas and increased service access barriers. The absence of a moderation effect of general social capital appears to be the result of selection bias, with positive effects of generalised trust seen for refugee migrants. Key messages • Ethnic discrimination affects mental health of refugee and non-refugee migrants. • The effect of discrimination on mental health are stronger in areas with higher proportion of non-nationals.

Does perceived neighbourhood social cohesion moderate the effects of demographic changes on health?

Abstract Small-area characteristics changes over time may be associated with health. Various theories have been proposed to explain small-area effects on health, including those concerning social capital. The effect of small-area demographic changes on health are very little researched and hardly anything is known about their relationship with social cohesion. We use longitudinal data from the German Socio-Economic Panel linked to demographic measures at county level. We explore the association between 5-year changes in the proportion of over 65 and of 18-24 years-old and physical and mental health and the moderating effect of perceived neighbourhood social cohesion (SC) using random intercept models. Control variables include education, income, and relevant baseline measures. Included are all participants with a 6-year continuous exposure to their county of residence. The main outcomes are the physical and mental health components (PCS, MCS) of the SF-12. We included 21,239 persons up to 6 times in 399 counties. 5-year changes in the over 65, of 18-24 and measure of SC are associated to MCS and PCS. Significant interactions between the changes in over 65 and social cohesion are seen for MCS only in rural areas and some interactions are significant for PCS. For MCS there are no interactions between social cohesion and the changes in 18-24. Important interaction effects for PCS: for those exposed to a small decrease in 18-24, an increase in one unit of SC is associated with an increase of 1.71 (95% CI[1.38, 2.03]) PCS units. For those exposed to a large decrease this effect is lower by 0.88 PCS units. Exposition to some demographic changes have the effect to reduce the positive effects of perceived social cohesion on health. Thus, demographic changes appear to be health stressors. The evidence shown by this work need to be further developed by considering smaller scales but the evidence opens up a new range of possible intervention targets to reduce health inequalities. Key messages • County level demographic changes are associated with physical and mental health and certain exposition to changes reduce the positive effects of perceived neighbourhood social cohesion. • Social cohesion can be an intervention target to reduce small-area health inequalities, population changes can annulate positive effects. This must be accounted for in public health interventions.

Family care in Germany and its gender-(un)specific patterns: an analysis using novel data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Innovation Sample

This article examines how the characteristics of people needing care determine the provision of family care and the time intensity of caring for men and women. Using novel data, we conduct linear (probability) regression models and find that women face family care demands as often as men but tend to provide more (time-intensive) care. When of retirement age, men are more likely than women to meet care needs for partners and support individuals with lower-severity care needs. Women invest more time caring for (adult) children and co-residents and on higher-severity care than men, particularly when they are of working age.

“Like two peas in a pod?” Homogamous personalities, education, and union dissolution

This paper examines the association between the level of similarity in the “Big Five” personality traits of the partners in different-sex couples and their risk of union dissolution. Prior research has mainly focused on homogamy in socio-economic, demographic, and cultural characteristics, such as age, education, employment, and religion. The few studies on the effects of homogamy in the personalities of the partners on separation find mixed results. We extend on this by analysing the moderating effect of education. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) for the 2005–2019 period, we follow 3958 coresidential couples and observe 534 separations. Personality is measured via the “Big Five” personality traits. We estimate discrete-time event history models for union dissolution. In addition to reporting the main effects, we calculate interactions between personality and the level of education of the partners. Our results indicate that greater dissimilarity with regard to the personality trait “openness” is associated with a higher probability to separate. However, analysing interaction effects reveals that this is relevant mainly among medium educated men. Moreover, persons with high education seem to be less likely to separate if they are dissimilar from their partner in their level of “extraversion”. These findings suggest that relationship dynamics differ across educational groups.

The roles of employment status and income in the mental health of informal caregivers in Germany

BackgroundInformal caregivers often experience multiple negative consequences as a result of the informal care they provide. Among other factors, employment status, financial resources, and mental health are related to informal caregiving. This analysis examined the association between informal caregivers’ employment status and their mental health, as well as the moderating effect of net household income on this relationship.MethodsThe research question was addressed with data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) survey, comprising 3,053 informal caregivers (1,007 male; 2,046 female). Data were obtained through self-reports, and mental health was measured with the Summary Scale Mental Score. Stepwise adjusted multiple linear regression models were used to examine the association between employment status and mental health. The moderating effects were tested with interaction terms. All analyses were also stratified for gender.ResultsInformal caregivers with full-time jobs reported better mental health than unemployed or marginally employed caregivers (β = 0.077, p < 0.001). The significant interaction term for full-time (β=-0.066, p = 0.001) and part-time workers (β=-0.066, p = 0.003) indicated a moderating effect of net household income on the association between employment status and mental health. This finding was especially evident in women.ConclusionsEmployment appears to be a relevant protective factor for informal caregivers’ mental health. However, if informal caregivers are not employed, a low net household income might additionally restrict their mental health. Therefore, welfare policy structures must be created to reduce the negative financial consequences for informal caregivers and enable them to achieve work-life-care balance.

The loneliness barometer 2024: methodology and selected results

Loneliness is arelatively new topic in the field of health and social policy. Apivotal requirement for the formulation of effective policies addressing loneliness in Germany lies in the access to comprehensive, longitudinal data.In 2024, the first "Loneliness Barometer" was conducted by the Loneliness Network Germany (KNE) at the Institute for Social Work and Social Pedagogy e. V. (ISS e. V.) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ). It is areport on the long-term development of loneliness within the German population (18years and older), for which representative data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP, 1992-2021) were analysed. The loneliness barometer is also intended to provide evidence-based statements on the long-term development of loneliness burdens in Germany in the future.This article provides an insight into the decisions made in the development of the Loneliness Barometer methodology and presents selected key findings from the first Loneliness Barometer. Leveraging data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), the Loneliness Barometer underscores the multifaceted disparities faced by individuals grappling with heightened loneliness levels. These disparities manifest across various domains: diminished health outcomes, constrained social and financial resources encompassing education and employment, reduced economic participation, curtailed political engagement and heightened scepticism towards democratic institutions. The article concludes with considerations of the limitations and future development possibilities of the Loneliness Barometer.

Langfristige Wohnstandortpräferenzen: Schlechte Nachrichten für ländliche Regionen

Abstract Increasing urban-rural disparities with regard to housing are receiving considerable attention in the public debate and in regional policy. The article discusses the extent to which microdata from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) can be used to analyse changes in residential location preferences. The analysis finds that, among various categories of the residential environment, housing in urban peripheral locations and in rural regions has become less attractive in recent decades.

Television and family demography: Evidence from a natural experiment in East Germany

This paper examines the causal effects of television exposure on individual decisions regarding marriage, divorce, and family planning by utilizing a natural experiment in the German Democratic Republic during the period of German division. I exploit the fact that individuals in some East German areas could not receive Western television due to their place of residence before reunification in 1990. By analyzing survey data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, my results reveal that exposure to Western TV significantly reduced the likelihood of marriage and childbirth while increasing the probability of divorce among East Germans. Analyzing administrative data at the county level supports these findings. In addition, survey data from the late 1980s indicates that the observed effects are primarily due to changes in attitudes towards relationships and family life, particularly among women.

Trends in Women’s Educational Advantage and Divorce in East and West Germany

Couples in which wives have more education than their husbands have been found to be more likely than other couples to divorce. But this relationship varies across time and place. We compare the relationship between spouses’ relative education and marital dissolution across four birth cohorts born between 1951 and 1990 in East and West Germany using 37 waves of the German Socio-Economic Panel (1984-2021) and Cox proportional hazard models. The comparison between East and West Germany provides contrasting levels and trends in women’s education, employment, and gender cultures, with East Germany persistently being a more gender egalitarian context compared to West Germany. Our results show that marriages in which wives have more education than their husbands are less stable in West Germany, but not in East Germany, where the point estimates indicate that these couples are more stable than other couples, but this association is not statistically significant. We do not find evidence of cohort change in these associations in either East or West Germany. These findings are consistent with the idea that the consequences of non-traditional gender arrangements are weaker in more egalitarian contexts and confirm that notable differences between East and West Germany persist after reunification. * This article belongs to a special issue on “Changes in Educational Homogamy and Its Consequences”.

Why do partners often prefer the same political parties? Evidence from couples in Germany

Abstract Research has demonstrated that couples have similar partisan preferences, a finding associated with political polarization. However, it remains debated to what extent different mechanisms contribute to this homogamy. Analyzing dyadic panel data from the German Socio-Economic Panel 1984–2020, we distinguish analytically between (1) direct political matching (i.e., partner selection on matching party preferences); (2) indirect political matching (i.e., social structural homogamy with political homogamy as a by-product); and (3) couples’ political alignment over time, to explain party preference similarity. First, we study matching among recently formed couples using an innovative method that compares real-world couples with three types of counterfactuals: couples that are matched (1) randomly, (2) by multidimensional social structural characteristics, and (3) by maximizing similarity in party preference. Second, we study couples’ political alignment over the course of relationships, tracking real-world couples over time and controlling for macro-level changes in the party-political landscape. Results indicate substantial political homogamy among recently formed couples, which is best explained by political matching (i.e., direct selection based on partisan preferences). Effects of social structural homogamy appear weak in comparison and rather stable across cohorts. Couples further align in their partisan preferences over time, but this effect is countered by an increasing heterogeneity of the German political landscape.

Personality traits and participation in holiday trips for people without and with moderate and severe disabilities

ABSTRACT This study examines the relationship between personality traits (using the Big Five-Factor model, BFF), and participation and its intensity in holiday trips for German people without and with moderate and severe disabilities. Namely, this study investigates the contribution of the BFF model to understanding this relationship among travellers with different degrees of disability, and fills a gap in the literature on tourism and disability. Data from the 2013 and 2019 German Socioeconomic Panel surveys were used. To consider the particular nature of our dependent variable we run three different regression models (i.e. binary and ordered probit models for panel data, and a zero-inflated ordered probit model). Overall, there are significant differences in the impact of personality traits on participation in holiday trips by disability status but not in all dimensions and directions. For example, the dimension ‘consciousness’ positively affects the participation in holiday trips of people with disabilities (greater if the individual has a severe disability). The impact of ‘agreeableness’ on the likelihood to participate in holiday trips is lower for those people having a moderate/severe disability. Public programmes and policies for people with different degrees of disabilities must consider their personality traits to promote and increase their travel opportunities.

Minimum wage non-compliance: the role of co-determination

AbstractWe analyse how co-determination is related to non-compliance with the German minimum wage, which was introduced in 2015. The Works Constitution Act (WCA), the law regulating co-determination at the plant level, provides works councils with indirect means to ensure compliance with the statutory minimum wage. Based on this legal situation, our theoretical model predicts that non-compliance is less likely in co-determined firms because works councils enhance the enforcement of the law. The economic correlates of co-determination, such as higher productivity and wages, affect non-compliance in opposite directions. The empirical analysis, using data from the German Socio-economic Panel (SOEP) for the years 2016 and 2019, demonstrates that non-compliance occurs less often for employees in co-determined establishments, while there is no correlation between non-compliance and the difference between the minimum wage and the wage actually paid.

Flight-related determinants of healthcare services utilization of asylum seekers and refugees in Germany: a study based on the German Socio-Economic Panel.

The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between healthcare services utilization and flight-related characteristics of asylum seekers and refugees in Germany. The 2020 wave of the German Socio-Economic Panel's Survey of Refugees was used to compile a sample of asylum seekers and refugees (n = 3134). Healthcare services utilization was measured using the self-reported number of visits to primary care physicians and hospitalization. Only the feeling of being welcome and worries about not being able to stay in Germany were identified as potential flight-related determinants of healthcare services utilization.

Einsamkeit in Deutschland – Prävalenz, Entwicklung über die Zeit und regionale Unterschiede

ZusammenfassungHintergrundEinsamkeit ist weitverbreitet und hat negative Folgen für die Gesundheit. Diese Studie soll die Fragen beantworten: (1) wie viele Menschen in Deutschland hocheinsam sind, (2) wie sich die Einsamkeit in Deutschland über die Zeit – insbesondere im Hinblick auf die Covid-19-Pandemie – veränderte und (3) welche regionalen Unterschiede es in der Einsamkeit in Deutschland gibt.MethodenDie vorliegende Studie verwendet Daten aus den Wellen 2013, 2017 und 2021 des Sozio-oekonomischen Panels, einer deutschen bevölkerungsrepräsentativen Panelstudie. Auf der Grundlage der University of California, Los Angeles(UCLA)-Einsamkeitsskala schätzen wir die Prävalenzen der Hocheinsamen. Mit Mehrebenenmodellen analysieren wir die Veränderungen der Einsamkeit von 2013 bis 2021. Schließlich erstellen wir Karten, um die regionale Verteilung der Einsamkeit in Deutschland zu illustrieren.ErgebnisseRund 2 % der in Deutschland lebenden Menschen gehören zu den hocheinsamen Menschen. Dieser Anteil änderte sich auch während der Covid-19-Pandemie nicht. Allerdings stieg die mittlere Einsamkeit in Deutschland an, vor allem während der Pandemie. Gleichzeitig ändert sich auch die regionale Verteilung von Einsamkeit. Während 2013 vor allem der Osten Deutschlands von Einsamkeit betroffen war, gehören während der Pandemie vor allem Regionen im Westen Niedersachsens, Rheinland-Pfalz und Hessen zu den am stärksten von Einsamkeit betroffenen Regionen.DiskussionUrsachen für diese Veränderungen können sowohl in strukturellen Veränderungen der deutschen Gesellschaft in den vergangenen 10 Jahren liegen, aber auch an unterschiedlichen Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung der Covid-19-Pandemie. Da die neuesten Daten zu Einsamkeit aus 2021 stammen, bedarf es dringend weiterer Datenerhebungen, um die aktuelle Einsamkeit in Deutschland abzubilden.

Progressive Taxation and Social Welfare: Quantifying the Effects of the “German Tax-Reform 2000”

Abstract The German “Tax-Reform 2000” involved a strong reduction in the progressivity of labor income taxation. It led to a rise in overall labor income, but also increased income inequality. Utilizing data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP. 2016. Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), Data for Years 1984–2016, Version 33) for the years 1998–2007, we employ a general equilibrium framework à la Antràs et al. (Antràs, P., A. De Gortari, and O. Itskhoki. 2017. “Globalization, Inequality and Welfare.” Journal of International Economics 108: 387–412) characterized by heterogeneous individuals. The model imposes a constant rate of tax progressivity and allows for a theory-consistent decomposition of social welfare that highlights the equity-efficiency trade-off, namely into (i) the fundamental social welfare level that would arise in a Kaldor-Hicks economy with lump-sum transfers, (ii) a correction term that accounts for the social cost of inequality à la Atkinson (Atkinson, A. B. 1970. “On the Measurement of Inequality.” Journal of Economic Theory 2 (3): 244–63) or Sen (Sen, A. 1970. Collective Choice and Social Welfare. Harvard University Press), and (iii) a correction term for the social cost of distortionary taxation. Our estimations show that the German tax system can be well approximated by the imposed tax schedule and that the reform implied a fall in the degree of tax progressivity. Under the baseline calibration, the numerical analysis yields the following results: First, the main driver of growth in social welfare from 1998 to 2007 was fundamental social welfare. Second, the counterfactual analysis shows that the reform resulted in an annual average income growth of 0.62 % and an increase in income inequality of 0.32 %, indicating an only modest increase in social welfare of 0.07 %. Third, the actual tax progression converged to its social welfare maximizing level.

Structural labour market change, cognitive work, and entry to parenthood in Germany

Technological change and globalization have caused unprecedented transformations of labour markets, resulting in a growing division between workers who perform cognitive vs non-cognitive tasks. To date, only few studies have addressed the fertility effects of these long-term structural changes. This study fills that gap. We measure the cognitive task content of occupations using data from the Employment Survey of the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, which we link to individual histories from the German Socio-Economic Panel 1984–2018. We find that women and men with non-cognitive jobs are increasingly less likely to enter parenthood; this is reflected in lower first-birth intensities but also in higher probabilities of childlessness compared with workers in highly cognitive jobs. These findings imply that structural shifts in the labour market are exacerbating disparities between low-skilled and highly skilled individuals, not only within the labour market but also in the realm of family formation.

Predicting satisfaction with democracy in Germany using local economic conditions, social capital, and individual characteristics

AbstractThis paper explores the empirical relationship between local economic conditions, social capital, and individual characteristics on the one hand and satisfaction with democracy on the other hand, using detailed information from the German Socio-Economic Panel. In contrast to previous literature, we focus on economic conditions at the state level instead of the national one. We find that local economic conditions, proxies of social capital, and individual characteristics (e.g., risk attitude, reciprocity, past unemployment experience) are important correlates of satisfaction with democracy and that some heterogeneity between genders, West and East Germany, and people with and without college degree exists in the data.

Loneliness in Bavaria before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Loneliness represents asignificant health risk and is associated with numerous mental and physical conditions. The aim of this paper was to describe the prevalence of loneliness in Bavaria before and during the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to socio-demographic attributes. Data sources were the German Ageing Survey (DEAS) and the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP). Univariate statistical analyses were carried out for different socio-demographic attributes, such as age, gender, type of household, education, and financial resources. According to the SOEP, the proportion of adults who are often or very often lonely increased from 2.3% in 2017 to 16.2% in 2021. In 2021, women had ahigher prevalence of loneliness than men (21.0% vs. 11.3%), and younger adults had the highest prevalence of loneliness (18 to 25years: 31.7%) compared to the other age groups. During the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness increased in almost every population subgroup in Bavaria. Further studies are needed to examine whether this development is temporary or represents along-term effect even after the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have been lifted.

Wage patterns in West Berlin: a synthetic control approach after the fall of the wall

ABSTRACT We investigate the impact of the Berlin Wall’s fall on West Berliners’ salaries using the Synthetic Control Method and regional-level data (NUTS-2) from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP). Our study shows that the collapse of the Berlin Wall led to a sudden stagnation in salaries for West Berliners, compared to a scenario where the Wall had remained intact.

Social participation of women with breast cancer compared to the general population 5 years after primary surgery—what role do medical data and cancer-related complaints play?

PurposeThis study analyzes levels of social participation in patients with breast cancer on average 5 years following primary surgery as compared to women in the general population. In addition, the role of breast cancer-related complaints and medical data as possible influencing factors on levels of patients’ social participation is investigated.MethodsA total of n = 454 patients after primary surgery (t0) were recruited for a third follow-up study, and n = 372 completed this survey (t3), corresponding to a response rate of 82.2%. For measuring breast cancer-related complaints, participants completed a written questionnaire. Social participation was measured by a questionnaire on different leisure activities that was taken from the Socio-Economic Panel Study. Medical information was extracted from medical reports at t0. A principal component analysis was carried out to identify different dimensions of social participation. Chi2-tests and logistic regression analyses were applied to analyze social participation as compared to the general population and the role of possible medical and diagnosis-related influencing factors thereby.ResultsCompared to the general population, patients show lower levels of social participation in the domains “socio-cultural participation” and “participation in institutions,” while no significant differences for “social participation in the private sphere” and “social participation via social media” were found. Psychological symptoms, pain, and a history of mastectomy were most strongly associated with restrictions in social participation.ConclusionsOur study suggests that social withdrawal may happen due to disease-related symptoms, preventing some breast cancer patients from participating fully in society. Cancer-related follow-ups should address this issue and support patients’ reintegration into society through appropriate therapeutic interventions.