title: The effect of noncognitive traits on health behaviours in adolescence.
abstract: This paper investigates the relationship between personality traits and health behaviours in adolescence using a large and recent cohort study. In particular, we investigate the impact of locus of control, self-esteem and work ethics at ages 15-16 years on the incidence of health behaviours such as alcohol consumption, cannabis and other drug use, unprotected and early sexual activity and sports and physical activity. We use matching methods to control for a very rich set of adolescent and family characteristics, and we find that personality traits do affect health behaviours. In particular, individuals with external locus of control, low self-esteem or with low levels of work ethics seem more likely in engage in risky health behaviours.
authors.affiliation: School of Economics, Faculty of Business, University of Wollongong, Australia.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mendolia
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D009043:Motor Activity; D010551:Personality; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology
keywords: health behaviours; locus of control; personality; self-esteem