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Poverty and the psychosocial competencies of children : evidence from the Young Lives sample in four developing countries

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 socio-economic 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.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
SSD
Department:
International Development
Research group:
Young Lives
Role:
Author


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Funding agency for:
Dercon, S
Grant:
R8544


Publisher:
Board of Regents of the University of Colorado
Journal:
The Board of Regents of the University of Colorado More from this journal
Volume:
19
Issue:
2
Pages:
138-163
Publication date:
2009-09-01
Edition:
Accepted Manuscript
ISSN:
1546-2250


Language:
English
Keywords:
Subjects:
UUID:
uuid:a14beb8b-4795-4fb5-b007-2afc74883bcc
Local pid:
ora:9061
Deposit date:
2014-10-10

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