Robert Rudolf
Korea University · Social Sciences
About the Lab
Professor Robert Rudolf's research lab specializes in behavioral and labor economics, with a strong focus on the intersection of social institutions, family dynamics, and individual well-being. The lab investigates gender disparities in happiness and mental health outcomes, the long-term impacts of early-life adversity such as childhood maltreatment, and the role of social networks—including the Chinese diaspora—in shaping economic outcomes. Using large-scale longitudinal and survey data from diverse contexts such as South Korea, the Philippines, and global PISA samples, the lab emphasizes causal inference and cross-cultural comparisons to understand how structural and cultural factors influence well-being and labor market behavior.
Research Overview
Research Output Trend
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Selected Papers
15Using detailed longitudinal data from the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS) from 1998 to 2008, this paper finds significant gender differences in impacts as well as adaptation patterns to major life and labor market events in Korea. Men remain on a higher happiness level throughout marriage, while women return to their baseline happiness within only two years. Consequently, men suffer more from divorce and the death of a spouse. This marital gender happiness gap is equivalent to a (hus
Using a new retrospective data set on young Filipino adults, this study aims to quantify the prevalence, risk factors, and mental health consequences in later life of childhood maltreatment in the Philippines. A survey was conducted with a sample of 155 adults (83 women, 72 men) aged 18–24 living in Quezon City, the largest metropolitan city in the Philippines. Findings show that four out of five young Filipino adults experience minor physical violence during childhood, while one out of four suf
Abstract Using an enhanced data set on the population share of overseas Chinese in 1970 and 1990, this paper analyses the impact of the Chinese diaspora on facilitating China's bilateral trade during the period 1973–2013. Our findings suggest substantial trade creation effects resulting from the presence of ethnic Chinese in the trade partner population. Diaspora impacts on Chinese bilateral imports are in general higher than those found for exports. Coethnic networks play a larger role as long
Purpose: Using rich data from nearly 400,000 15-year-olds across 70 middle- and high-income countries and economies participating in PISA 2018, this study investigates (1) global predictors of adolescent subjective well-being (SWB), and (2) differences in adolescent life satisfaction, its predictors and endowments with predictors across world regions and cultures. A particular focus lies on comparing Confucian East Asia (CEA) with other world regions. Methods: Data were analyzed using multiple l
•We use longitudinal data and FE-IV technique to identify causal effects of smartphone use on adolescent mental health.•We find that longer smartphone use causes increased depressive symptoms and higher suicidal ideation for girls, not for boys.•Social and active smartphone usage such as communicating with friends and family predicts lower depressive symptoms.•Personal history of depressive symptoms and the timing of puberty moderate the effect of SUT on depressive symptoms.•Addictive smartphone
This paper uses detailed longitudinal data from the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS) stretching from 1998 to 2008 to analyze the relationship between working hours and family happiness in Korea. The Korean labor market is characterized by high levels of gender inequality which is partly due to long working hours, a significant gender gap in earnings, yet also to traditional gender roles maintained until today. Therefore, post-marriage labor force participation rates for men are still
Using four rounds (1999, 2002, 2005 and 2008) of the K orean Labor and Income Panel Study, the present paper examines determinants of household income and consumption levels and inequalities. Unconditional as well as conditional stochastic dominance tests are performed by year, by household heads’ characteristics (age, education, gender, health, marital status and occupation) and by household characteristics (household type, household size and degree of urbanization). Mean least squares regressi
Research Areas
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