The Impact of Inheritance Customs on Gender Disparities and the Health Effects of Major Life Events

This dissertation examines various socio-economic and health impacts of institutional and policy interventions across different contexts in Germany. The first study analyzes the effect of inheritance customs on household composition and gender disparities, revealing that partible inheritance reduces household size and influences female political representation and employment, with minor long-term effects. The second study explores maternal health during the transition to motherhood, showing an increase in antidepressant use post-birth, likely driven by stress-related factors such as reduced sleep and increased childcare responsibilities. The third study evaluates the impact of family policies on maternal health, finding that childcare availability increases respiratory diseases in the short run and has beneficial mental health effects for certain groups of mothers, while low-skilled mothers experience increased mental health disorders. Lastly, the fourth study investigates the long-term health implications of peacetime military service in the German Democratic Republic, identifying a rise in musculoskeletal disorders among conscripts, likely due to the harsh conditions during service. Together, these studies provide insights into the complex interplay between institutional frameworks, policy interventions, and individual health and socio-economic outcomes.