Early-Life Circumstances and Adult Locus of Control: Evidence from 46 Developing Countries

Masahiro Shoji

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: Early-life circumstances have a long-term impact on adult outcomes such as health, wealth, and happiness. Using exogenous variation in weather conditions across 46 developing countries over time, this study examines the impact of experiencing weather shocks in childhood on adult non-cognitive skills, namely, locus of control. The results show that those who experienced rainfall shortage before age five are more likely to believe that they cannot control their life outcomes. However, the impact diminishes by their early forties. This study also demonstrates the negative impact of weather shocks on voting behavior. Finally, underlying mechanisms for this relationship are explored.

Keywords: locus of control; non-cognitive skills; early life circumstances; climate change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I25 J24 O15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020-05-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-env and nep-neu
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pra:mprapa:99987

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