Psychosocial Competencies and Risky Behaviours in Peru

Marta Favara and Alan Sanchez

No 10260, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

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.

Keywords: Peru; psychosocial competencies; risky behaviours; young lives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I12 K42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 51 pages
Date: 2016-10
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Published - published in: IZA Journal of Labor & Development, 2017, 6:3

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Journal Article: Psychosocial competencies and risky behaviours in Peru (2017)
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