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The role of locus of control in adulthood outcomes: Evidence from Australian twins

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  • Xue, Sen
  • Kidd, Michael P.
  • Le, Anh.T.
  • Kirk, Kathy
  • Martin, Nicholas G.

Abstract

We study the impact of locus of control on adulthood outcomes. We address the issue of omitted shared family background and genetic factors using data on monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins from Australia. Estimation results are highly sensitive to controlling adequately for shared background and genes. While the associations between locus of control and most adulthood outcomes are statistically significant and similar across OLS and DZ twins fixed effect models, they are insignificant in the MZ twins fixed effect models. Two important exceptions emerge. Locus of control remains significantly associated with regular physical exercise and occupational rank, in line with the previous literature. We discuss the implications of our findings.

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  • Xue, Sen & Kidd, Michael P. & Le, Anh.T. & Kirk, Kathy & Martin, Nicholas G., 2020. "The role of locus of control in adulthood outcomes: Evidence from Australian twins," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 566-588.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:179:y:2020:i:c:p:566-588
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2020.09.018
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    Cited by:

    1. Caliendo, Marco & Cobb-Clark, Deborah A. & Silva-Goncalves, Juliana & Uhlendorff, Arne, 2024. "Locus of control and the preference for agency," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    2. Szabó-Morvai, Ágnes & Kiss, Hubert János & Károlyi, Róbert, 2023. "Kontrollhely Magyarországon - egy reprezentatív felmérés eredményei [Locus of Control in Hungary: The results of a representative survey]," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(7), pages 847-871.
    3. Deborah A. Cobb‐Clark & Lihini De Silva, 2021. "Participation, Unemployment, and Wages," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 54(4), pages 482-493, December.
    4. Bonsang, Eric & Costa-Font, Joan, 2022. "Buying control? ‘Locus of control’ and the uptake of supplementary health insurance," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 476-489.
    5. Juliane Hennecke, 2024. "The independent woman—locus of control and female labor force participation," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 329-357, March.
    6. Biener, Christian & Landmann, Andreas, 2023. "Recovery mode: Non-cognitive skills after the storm," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Locus of control; Twin studies; Socioeconomic outcomes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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