Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/147946 
Year of Publication: 
2016
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 10260
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We use a unique longitudinal dataset from Peru to investigate the relationship between psychosocial competencies related to the concepts of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and aspirations, and a number of risky behaviours at a crucial transition period between adolescence and early adulthood. First of all, we document a high prevalence of risky behaviours with 1 out of 2 individuals engaging in at least one risky activity by the age 19 with a dramatic increase between age 15 and 19. Second, we find a pronounced pro-male bias and some differences by area of residence particularly in drinking habits which are more prevalent in urban areas. Third, we find a negative correlation between early self-esteem and later risky behaviours which is robust to a number of specifications. Further, aspiring to higher education at the age of 15 is correlated to a lower probability of drinking and of engaging in criminal behaviours at the age of 19. Similarly, aspirations protect girls from risky sexual behaviours.
Subjects: 
risky behaviours
psychosocial competencies
Peru
young lives
JEL: 
I12
K42
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
314.79 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.