Publications
- Yáñez, R., Olcay, C., Navea, J., Ahumada, G. & Jara, B. (2025). Food insecurity through the lens of multidimensional poverty: Evidence from Chile. Social Science & Medicine, 383. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118495.
- Ahumada, G., Cantillan, R. & Jara, B. (2024). Social capital and individual well-being in the post-disaster period: The case of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 103. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104308.
- Ahumada, G., & Iturra, V. (2021). If the air was cleaner, would we be happier? An economic assessment of the effects of air pollution on individual subjective well-being in Chile. Journal of Cleaner Production. 289, 1-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125152.
- Ahumada, G., Iturra, V. & Sarrias, M. (2020). We Do Not Have the Same Tastes! Evaluating Individual Heterogeneity in the Preferences for Amenities. Journal of Happiness Studies. 21, 53-74. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-019-00081-2. Stata codes and R scripts for replication: Download.
- Perez, D., & Ahumada, G. (2015). Cambio estructural y desindustrialización: evidencia para Colombia. Revista Venezolama de Gerencia. 20(71), 517-533. Available here.
- Ahumada, G., & Penso, L. (2014). Caracterización socioeconómica de la subregión del Canal del Dique. Revista Aguaita. 26, 1-22. Avilable here.
- Ahumada, G. & Martelo, E. (2010). La tenencia de la tierra en Colombia desde la conquista hasta 1936. Revista de Economía OIKOS. 24, 1-18. Available here.
Research Papers
Neighborhood cohesion and depressive symptoms: Longitudinal evidence from Chile R&R;
This study examines how neighborhood cohesion affects disparities in depressive symptoms among Chilean adults. Adopting a multidimensional framework, we conceptualize neighborhood cohesion through four components: neighborhood attachment, neighborhood relations, orientation toward the common good, and adherence to social norms. Using longitudinal survey data from 4,975 observations of 995 individuals over five waves (2016-2022), panel regression results indicate that specific aspects of neighborhood cohesion—physical rootedness, sociability with neighbors, trust in neighbors, and adherence to social norms—are associated with lower depressive symptoms. Conversely, informal social interactions and participation in local organizations show no significant effects. We conclude that place attachment, alongside elements of sociability and normativity, can protect against depression, while close relationships and local commitments appear less influential.
This study examines how neighborhood cohesion affects disparities in depressive symptoms among Chilean adults. Adopting a multidimensional framework, we conceptualize neighborhood cohesion through four components: neighborhood attachment, neighborhood relations, orientation toward the common good, and adherence to social norms. Using longitudinal survey data from 4,975 observations of 995 individuals over five waves (2016-2022), panel regression results indicate that specific aspects of neighborhood cohesion—physical rootedness, sociability with neighbors, trust in neighbors, and adherence to social norms—are associated with lower depressive symptoms. Conversely, informal social interactions and participation in local organizations show no significant effects. We conclude that place attachment, alongside elements of sociability and normativity, can protect against depression, while close relationships and local commitments appear less influential.
Stratified personal networks, stratified mental health: Longitudinal evidence on network heterogeneity, status composition, and depressive symptoms submitted;
This study analyzes how network heterogeneity and socioeconomic composition shape depressive symptoms over time in Chile, a context marked by high depression rates and strong social stratification. Using data from the Longitudinal Social Study of Chile, we estimate dynamic panel models to address time-invariant confounding and reverse causality. Network attributes are measured using a position generator that captures occupational diversity and the presence of high- and low-status alters. Results suggest that network heterogeneity exerts a modest protective effect, but only with a temporal lag, indicating that structural diversity requires time to generate psychosocial benefits. Socioeconomic composition emerges as a stronger predictor: contact with high-status individuals reduces depressive symptoms, whereas greater exposure to low-status alters increases them. These effects vary by socioeconomic position, indicating the dual role of networks.
This study analyzes how network heterogeneity and socioeconomic composition shape depressive symptoms over time in Chile, a context marked by high depression rates and strong social stratification. Using data from the Longitudinal Social Study of Chile, we estimate dynamic panel models to address time-invariant confounding and reverse causality. Network attributes are measured using a position generator that captures occupational diversity and the presence of high- and low-status alters. Results suggest that network heterogeneity exerts a modest protective effect, but only with a temporal lag, indicating that structural diversity requires time to generate psychosocial benefits. Socioeconomic composition emerges as a stronger predictor: contact with high-status individuals reduces depressive symptoms, whereas greater exposure to low-status alters increases them. These effects vary by socioeconomic position, indicating the dual role of networks.
Blasting dust: The pollution-health Impact of industrial mining developments (with Nathaly Rivera, Nicolás Gómez-Parra, and Lenin H. Balza);
We study the pollution-health channel of the large-scale industrial mining developments leveraging exogenous variation in the geographical expansion of mineral leases in Chile over time and the distance to these installations. Using a battery of estimations in double differences and novel measures of expansion, we find a large negative impact of these developments on satellite-derived criteria air pollution concentrations within 50 km of these facilities, particularly SO2. Later on, we link this increased pollution with the health outcomes of nearby communities. These results have important implications for the debate on the local welfare impact of mining developments.
We study the pollution-health channel of the large-scale industrial mining developments leveraging exogenous variation in the geographical expansion of mineral leases in Chile over time and the distance to these installations. Using a battery of estimations in double differences and novel measures of expansion, we find a large negative impact of these developments on satellite-derived criteria air pollution concentrations within 50 km of these facilities, particularly SO2. Later on, we link this increased pollution with the health outcomes of nearby communities. These results have important implications for the debate on the local welfare impact of mining developments.
Work in Progress
Does education protect against mental health problems? Evidence from Chile (with Ignacio Cabib);
This research analyzes how education affects mental health outcomes by exploiting an educational reform implemented in Chile in 2003. The study leverages the age-specific exposure to the reform as an instrumental variable for years of education and finds that the treated group gained more education. This increase in education had effects on mental health outcomes two decades later. Specifically, an additional year of schooling resulted in a 11.4% lower likelihood of reporting major mental health disorders and a 5.2% reduction in the severity of depressive symptoms. These positive effects are more pronounced among women and individuals residing in the northern regions of the country. The effects of education on mental well-being are potentially mediated through improved health behaviors and increased knowledge.
This research analyzes how education affects mental health outcomes by exploiting an educational reform implemented in Chile in 2003. The study leverages the age-specific exposure to the reform as an instrumental variable for years of education and finds that the treated group gained more education. This increase in education had effects on mental health outcomes two decades later. Specifically, an additional year of schooling resulted in a 11.4% lower likelihood of reporting major mental health disorders and a 5.2% reduction in the severity of depressive symptoms. These positive effects are more pronounced among women and individuals residing in the northern regions of the country. The effects of education on mental well-being are potentially mediated through improved health behaviors and increased knowledge.
Multiple membership configurations and trust formation: Structural precarity in highly unequal societies (with Roberto Cantillan and Vicente Espinoza);
We study how multiple affiliations in voluntary associations shape social trust. A latent class analysis identified a class of 'brokers', ie, members of associations with the highest likelihood of having diverse memberships. Regression analyzes with random effects on generalized trust and neighborhood trust found that exposure to the broker class consistently predicted strong generalized trust, supporting the hypothesis that intersecting associations do spread trust. However, connectivity fluctuates over time, making it difficult to maintain the effects of brokerage.
We study how multiple affiliations in voluntary associations shape social trust. A latent class analysis identified a class of 'brokers', ie, members of associations with the highest likelihood of having diverse memberships. Regression analyzes with random effects on generalized trust and neighborhood trust found that exposure to the broker class consistently predicted strong generalized trust, supporting the hypothesis that intersecting associations do spread trust. However, connectivity fluctuates over time, making it difficult to maintain the effects of brokerage.
