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Till death (or divorce) do us part: Early-life family disruption and investment behavior

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  • Betzer, André
  • Limbach, Peter
  • Rau, P. Raghavendra
  • Schürmann, Henrik

Abstract

We document a long-lasting association between a common societal phenomenon, early-life family disruption, and investment behavior. Controlling for socioeconomic status and family background, we find fund managers who experienced the death or divorce of their parents during childhood exhibit a stronger disposition effect, take lower risk, and are more likely to sell their holdings following risk-increasing firm events. The results are consistent with persistent symptoms of post-traumatic stress and strengthen as treatment intensifies. The evidence adds to our understanding of the role of social factors and “nurture” in finance as well as the origin of investment biases.

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  • Betzer, André & Limbach, Peter & Rau, P. Raghavendra & Schürmann, Henrik, 2021. "Till death (or divorce) do us part: Early-life family disruption and investment behavior," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:124:y:2021:i:c:s0378426621000157
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2021.106057
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    Cited by:

    1. Cici, Gjergji & Schuster, Philipp & Weishaupt, Franziska, 2024. "Once a trader, always a trader: The role of traders in fund management," CFR Working Papers 24-01, University of Cologne, Centre for Financial Research (CFR).
    2. Grant, Andrew & Kalev, Petko S. & Subrahmanyam, Avanidhar & Joakim Westerholm, P., 2022. "Retail trading activity and major lifecycle events: The case of divorce," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    3. Agarwal, Vikas & Cochardt, Alexander Elmar & Orlov, Vitaly, 2022. "Birth order and fund manager's trading behavior: Role of sibling rivalry," CFR Working Papers 22-12, University of Cologne, Centre for Financial Research (CFR).
    4. Zhang, Xiaotao & Wang, Ziqiao & Hao, Jing & Liu, Jiubiao, 2022. "Stock market entry timing and retail investors' disposition effect," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Disposition effect; Family disruption; Feelings; Formative experience; Investor behavior; Risk-taking; Social finance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets

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