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Identifying peer effects using spatial analysis: the role of peers on risky sexual behavior

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  • Olugbenga Ajilore

Abstract

This paper explores the role of peer effects on early sexual debut for a sample of adolescents using data from the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health (Add Health). Most studies analyzing peer influences ignore the “reflection” problem that occurs with studying peer effects. To address the reflection problem, this paper employs a spatial econometric approach to estimate a social interactions model. This is the first study in the literature on adolescent risky sexual behavior to use this approach to estimate peer effects. Similar to other research on peer effects and adolescent risky sexual behavior, this paper finds the existence of peer effects. However, the more vital outcome from this study is that older and male peers increase the likelihood of adolescent early sexual debut, while peers whose mothers are more open about sexual activity decrease adolescent risky sexual behavior. This methodology can help further our knowledge about the social context that influences adolescent sexual behavior. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Olugbenga Ajilore, 2015. "Identifying peer effects using spatial analysis: the role of peers on risky sexual behavior," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 13(3), pages 635-652, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:reveho:v:13:y:2015:i:3:p:635-652
    DOI: 10.1007/s11150-013-9235-4
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    3. Olugbenga Ajilore & Gayle Alberda, 2017. "Peer Effects and Political Participation: What is the Role of Coursework Clusters?," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 47(1), pages 47-62, Winter.
    4. Norris, Jonathan, 2017. "Family and Peer Social Identity Effects on Schooling Attitudes and Performance," UNCG Economics Working Papers 17-1, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Economics.
    5. Lorant, Vincent & Soto Rojas, Victoria & Bécares, Laia & Kinnunen, Jaana M. & Kuipers, Mirte A.G. & Moor, Irene & Roscillo, Gaetano & Alves, Joana & Grard, Adeline & Rimpelä, Arja & Federico, Bruno & , 2016. "A social network analysis of substance use among immigrant adolescents in six European cities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 58-65.
    6. Giovanni Abbiati & Jonathan Pratschke, 2021. "‘Like with Like’ or ‘Do Like’? Modelling Peer Effects in The Classroom," CSEF Working Papers 603, Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF), University of Naples, Italy.
    7. Pan, Zheng & Lien, Donald & Wang, Hao, 2022. "Peer effects and shadow education," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    8. Jonathan Norris, 2019. "Identify economics: social influence and skill development," Working Papers 1908, University of Strathclyde Business School, Department of Economics.
    9. Mulawa, Marta & Yamanis, Thespina J. & Hill, Lauren M. & Balvanz, Peter & Kajula, Lusajo J. & Maman, Suzanne, 2016. "Evidence of social network influence on multiple HIV risk behaviors and normative beliefs among young Tanzanian men," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 35-43.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Peer effects; Early sexual debut; Risky sexual behavior; Social interactions model; Spatial durbin probit model; C21; J13; Z13;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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