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

Shoji, Masahiro (2020): Early-Life Circumstances and Adult Locus of Control: Evidence from 46 Developing Countries.

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.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: locus of control; non-cognitive skills; early life circumstances; climate change
• Subjects: I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I2 - Education and Research Institutions > I25 - Education and Economic Development; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J2 - Demand and Supply of Labor > J24 - Human Capital ; Skills ; Occupational Choice ; Labor Productivity; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O15 - Human Resources ; Human Development ; Income Distribution ; Migration

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