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The Burden of Comparison: Relative Socioeconomic Position and Adolescent Socioemotional Development

Author

Listed:
  • Gambardella, Giulia

    (University of Perugia)

  • Ben Lenda, Ilham

    (University of Trento)

  • Mangiavacchi, Lucia

    (University of Perugia)

  • Piccoli, Luca

    (University of Trento)

Abstract

This paper examines how an adolescent's relative socioeconomic status (SES) within their school influences their socioemotional development and well-being. Although peer effects on academic outcomes are well-documented, less is known about how an individual's socioeconomic rank among peers shapes non-cognitive skills. Using PISA 2022 data and a school fixed effects model, we investigate the relationship between two measures of relative SES—Socioeconomic Rank and Socioeconomic Gap—and a range of outcomes, including socioemotional skills, self-esteem, and attitudes toward school. Our results show that higher within-school SES rank is significantly associated with better socioemotional skills, greater well-being, and stronger academic motivation. We also find important heterogeneity by gender and migrant background. These findings highlight that an individual's relative socioeconomic position, beyond absolute resources, plays a critical role in shaping adolescent non-cognitive development.

Suggested Citation

  • Gambardella, Giulia & Ben Lenda, Ilham & Mangiavacchi, Lucia & Piccoli, Luca, 2025. "The Burden of Comparison: Relative Socioeconomic Position and Adolescent Socioemotional Development," IZA Discussion Papers 18060, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18060
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James J. Heckman & Tomas Jagelka & Tim Kautz, 2019. "Some Contributions of Economics to the Study of Personality," Working Papers 2019-069, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    2. Del Bono, Emilia & Etheridge, Ben & Garcia, Paul, 2024. "The economic value of childhood socio-emotional skills," ISER Working Paper Series 2024-01, Institute for Social and Economic Research.
    3. David J. Deming, 2017. "The Growing Importance of Social Skills in the Labor Market," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 132(4), pages 1593-1640.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

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