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Peer Effects, Unobserved Factors And Risk Behaviours In Adolescence

Author

Listed:
  • ROSA DUARTE

    (Universidad de Zaragoza)

  • JOSE JULIÁN ESCARIO

    (Universidad de Zaragoza)

  • JOSÉ ALBERTO MOLINA

    (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to examine the factors which affect alcohol abuse and truancy among adolescents. We propose a theoretical formulation in which alcohol abuse and truancy appear as derived demands depending on personal, family and peer group variables, and we introduce unobserved individual effects that can influence both behaviours. Empirically, our paper develops an analysis where, after controlling for the existence of unobserved individual factors affecting both decisions, we test for peer influences. Our results first show evidence that alcohol abuse and truancy share unobserved factors affecting both decisions, and then confirm the existence of significant peer group influences on these two deviant behaviours.

Suggested Citation

  • Rosa Duarte & Jose Julián Escario & José Alberto Molina, 2011. "Peer Effects, Unobserved Factors And Risk Behaviours In Adolescence," Revista de Economia Aplicada, Universidad de Zaragoza, Departamento de Estructura Economica y Economia Publica, vol. 19(1), pages 125-151, Spring.
  • Handle: RePEc:rev:reveca:v:19:y:2011:i:1:p:125-151
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Juan Carlos, Campaña & J. Ignacio, Giménez-Nadal & Jose Alberto, Molina, 2015. "The satisfaction of university students: differences by field of study," MPRA Paper 64727, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Lopez-Mayan, Cristina & Nicodemo, Catia, 2023. "“If my buddies use drugs, will I?” Peer effects on Substance Consumption Among Teenagers," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    3. Josep-Oriol Escardíbul & Toni Mora & Anna Villarroya, 2013. "Peer effects on youth screen media consumption in Catalonia (Spain)," Journal of Cultural Economics, Springer;The Association for Cultural Economics International, vol. 37(2), pages 185-201, May.
    4. Sarah Grace See, 2013. "The Riskiest of Them All: Parental Supervision and Adolescent Behaviors," CHILD Working Papers Series 21, Centre for Household, Income, Labour and Demographic Economics (CHILD) - CCA.
    5. R. Duarte & J. Escario & J. Molina, 2014. "Are estimated peer effects on smoking robust? Evidence from adolescent students in Spain," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 1167-1179, May.
    6. Rizzotto, Júlia Sbroglio & França, Marco Túlio Aniceto, 2022. "Indiscipline: The school climate of Brazilian schools and the impact on student performance," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    peer; unobserved factors; risk behaviours; alcohol; truancy; bivariate probit;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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