Violence, psychological trauma, and risk attitudes: Evidence from victims of violence in Colombia

Andres Moya

Journal of Development Economics, 2018, vol. 131, issue C, 15-27

Abstract: Traumatic experiences can alter individuals' behavior and deplete their ability to make economic decisions. In this article, I analyze the effects of violence on risk attitudes. For this purpose, I sampled a group of victims of violence in Colombia and collected data on the severity and temporal proximity of their exposure to violence and on their symptoms of psychological trauma. I find that more severe violence brings about higher levels of risk aversion in the gains and ambiguity domains but that the behavioral effect is not permanent. I also find that the effect is driven by severe anxiety disorders, which is consistent with studies in psychology. The results suggest that violence can affect poverty dynamics through a behavioral channel. (JEL: D1; C9; O1; I1; I3).

Keywords: Risk aversion; Violence; Psychological trauma; Colombia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (61)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Violence, Emotional Distress and Induced Changes in Risk Aversion among the Displaced Population in Colombia (2012)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:deveco:v:131:y:2018:i:c:p:15-27

DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2017.11.001

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