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Adolescent Time and Risk Preferences: Measurement, Determinants and Field Consequences
Anya Samek1, Andre Gray1, Ashlesha Datar1
1University of Southern California.
Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
|April 2, 2021
Summary
Parental time and risk preferences strongly influence adolescent choices. Survey measures, unlike experiments, predict real-world behaviors like healthier lifestyles in teens.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Economics
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Understanding adolescent time and risk preferences is crucial for interventions.
- Intergenerational transmission of preferences is a key area of research.
- Linking preferences to health behaviors can inform public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate time and risk preferences in adolescents using experimental and survey methods.
- To examine the correlation between survey and experimental preference measures.
- To investigate the influence of parental preferences and demographic factors on adolescent preferences.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed nearly 500 adolescents (aged 16-19) on time and risk preferences.
- Employed experimental tasks involving trade-offs for monetary rewards.
- Collected data on parental preferences and adolescent health behaviors (BMI, activity levels, diet).
Main Results:
- Survey and experimental measures of preferences showed weak correlation.
- Parental time and risk preferences strongly predicted adolescent preferences across both measure types.
- Survey measures of patience correlated with healthier outcomes: lower BMI, increased physical activity, and reduced consumption of unhealthy foods.
Conclusions:
- Parental influence is a significant factor in adolescent time and risk preferences.
- Survey-based preference measures may offer greater predictive validity for health-related behaviors than experimental measures.
- Promoting patience in adolescents could be a target for improving health outcomes.
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