Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/71737 
Year of Publication: 
2013
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 7301
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This paper investigates the relationship between personality traits in adolescence and health behaviours using a large and recent cohort study. In particular, we investigate the impact of locus of control, self-esteem and conscientiousness at age 15-16, on the incidence of health behaviours such as: alcohol consumption; cannabis and other drug use; unprotected and early sexual activity; and sports and physical activity. We use matching methods to control for a very rich set of adolescent and family characteristics and we find that personality traits do affect health behaviours. In particular, individuals with external locus of control, or with low self-esteem, or with low levels of conscientiousness are more likely to engage in health-risky behaviours.
Subjects: 
personality
locus of control
self-esteem
health behaviours
JEL: 
I18
I28
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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