Poverty and the Psychosocial Competencies of Children: Evidence from the Young Lives Sample in Four Developing Countries
Year: 2009
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Using unique data from four developing countries, this paper explores the relationship between material poverty and the psychosocial competencies of children.Within a cohort of 12-year-olds, we find that measures of self-efficacy, sense of inclusion, self-esteem and educational aspirations all correlate with measures of the material well-being of the family in which they are growing up.In short, material circumstances shape these wider dimensions of child well-being.As other evidence has shown, these measures of psychosocial competencies reflect important life skills that affect them as adults and shape their future socioeconomic status.This suggests a mechanism by which poverty may be transmitted across generations.In addition, our evidence shows how a caregiver's education and school participation affects children's psychosocial competencies.This may indicate a possible means of overcoming such transmission of poverty over time.
Source: Children Youth and Environments
Authors: Stefan Dercon, Pramila Krishnan
Institutions: University of Oxford, University of Cambridge
Language: English
Subfield: Safety Research
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1607404153