Zhe Zang
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Zhe Zhang is a fifth-year Sociology Ph.D. student at Vanderbilt University. His research focuses on the social determinants of health and health disparities throughout the life course, with a particular interest in the roles of social relationships and social networks, stress/adversity, and social/political contexts. One line of his current research investigates the health and well-being of the single and living-alone population. Another line of his research examines whether state-level policies alleviate or exacerbate the mental health consequences of pandemic-related stressors.
Zhe Zang joins the Paris IAS in February 2026 for a group research stay as part of the CAT collaborative program, with the lead of Elyakim Kislev and in collaboration with the researchers Elke Claessens, Keren Eisen, Alexandra Fisher and Donna Ward.
Research topics
Health and health disparities; policy; singlehood; family; social Networks; aging and the life course.
Singlehood: Trends, Needs, and Social Policy
Over recent decades, the world has witnessed a notable rise in singlehood, with an increasing number of individuals opting to live without a long-term romantic partner. This global shift reflects broader social changes, including urbanization, the rise of the welfare state, advancements in women's rights, increased longevity, and the impact of technological innovations, particularly in communication and reproductive health.
Despite the growing prevalence of singlehood, current policies are still largely designed around traditional family structures, often neglecting the unique needs of single individuals.
Social policies, tax systems, and legal frameworks frequently disadvantage singles, who may face higher taxes, limited access to social security benefits, and inadequate workplace policies that fail to account for their specific caregiving needs and life choices. This lack of policy consideration exacerbates social inequalities and highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address the challenges faced by single individuals.
This project aims to promote a more inclusive approach to policy development by ensuring that the voices and experiences of single individuals are considered in the policymaking process. By providing tools to assess and compare how different countries or regions address the needs of single people, the results can help to identify best practices and encourage the adoption of policies that improve the quality of life for this often-overlooked demographic.
Key publications
Zhe Zhang, Mateo P Farina and Rachel Donnelly. “Anticipatory Stress, State Policy Contexts, and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” SSM - Population Health 23:101415, 2023.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101415
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