Psychosocial competencies and risky behaviours in Peru

Artikel

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.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Journal: IZA Journal of Labor & Development ; ISSN: 2193-9020 ; Volume: 6 ; Year: 2017 ; Issue: 3 ; Pages: 1-40 ; Heidelberg: Springer

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity ; Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth ; Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
• Subject: Teenage pregnancy ; Risky behaviours ; Psychosocial ; Aspirations ; Peru

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Favara, Marta ; Sanchez, Alan
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Springer
• (where): Heidelberg
• (when): 2017

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.1186/s40175-016-0069-3
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/169306
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET