颜值对青少年心理健康的影响——基于“中国教育追踪调查”的实证分析

The Influence of Physical Appearance on Mental Health among Adolescents:An Empirical Study Based on “China Education Panel Survey”

作为个体的自然禀赋,颜值对心理健康起着重要作用。基于“中国教育追踪调查”(CEPS)2014—2015年追踪数据,文章考察了颜值对青少年心理健康的影响及作用机制。结果表明,颜值对青少年心理健康有显著的正向影响,高颜值个体拥有更高的心理健康水平;人际关系是颜值影响青少年心理健康的重要机制,与低颜值个体相比,高颜值个体更容易受到老师的偏爱和同伴的喜欢,获得更高的心理健康水平。进一步分析发现,颜值对青少年心理健康的影响存在异质性,相比男性,颜值对女性心理健康的影响更大。

As an individual’s natural endowment,physical appearance plays an important role in the mental health.Based on an empirical study using data from China Education Panel Survey,we examine the impact of physical appearance on adolescents’mental health and its mechanism.The results show that physical appearance has a significant positive impact on adolescents’mental health,and individuals with higher physical appearance have a higher level of mental health.Interpersonal relationships are an important mechanism by which physical appearance affects an individual’s mental health.Compared with individuals with lower appearance,the individuals with high physical appearance are more likely to be favored by teachers and peers,and thus have a higher level of mental health.There is heterogeneity in the impact of physical appearance on adolescents’mental health.Compared with men,physical appearance has a greater impact on women’s mental health.