Instrumental variable

[Shreya Jain]

Dear Statalisters,

I am looking at the effect of hypogamy (women marrying down) on spousal health. So can we use marriage cohort as an instrumental variable? Younger cohorts are more likely to have hypogamous marriages and will affect spousal health through that. Please help me out.

[George Ford]

Are younger cohorts more likely to have healthy/unhealthy spouses?

[Shreya Jain]

In my data, I can see that yeah younger cohorts have healthier spouses.

[George Ford]

Then probably not a good iv.

[Shreya Jain]

Thank you so much George Ford