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Journal of Corporate Finance Vol. 93 2025

The Long-term effect of social disasters on stock market participation

Yang Cai1; Shuo Chen2; Dongxu Li3

1 Nanjing University of Finance and Economics · 2 Fudan University · 3 Xiamen University

Abstract

This study examines the long-term impact of social disaster experiences on household finance. Using the Cultural Revolution in China, the country’s most pronounced sociopolitical turmoil that completely disrupted millions of people’s lives, we show that households are more likely to participate in the stock market if their eldest member was more exposed to the turmoil. The results remain robust to alternative historical events, socioeconomic factors, and household characteristics. Survey results suggest that the more exposed individuals invest in the stock market because they perceive stocks as low risk rather than have altered risk preferences or trust in stock markets.

DOI
10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2025.102799
Volume
93
Pages
102799
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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