Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/169306 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Citation: 
[Journal:] IZA Journal of Labor & Development [ISSN:] 2193-9020 [Volume:] 6 [Issue:] 3 [Publisher:] Springer [Place:] Heidelberg [Year:] 2017 [Pages:] 1-40
Publisher: 
Springer, Heidelberg
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 engaging in criminal behaviours at the age of 19. Similarly, aspirations protect girls from risky sexual behaviours.
Subjects: 
Teenage pregnancy
Risky behaviours
Psychosocial
Aspirations
Peru
JEL: 
J24
J13
O15
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by Logo
Document Type: 
Article

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