Traumatic Experience and Self-Control in Old Age

Abstract

The behavioral economics literature suggests that exposure to traumatic events shifts preference features like risk aversion and time preference. Drawing on this literature, this study explored the relationship between early life exposure to traumatic events and self-control at older ages. The data were obtained from the Health and Retirement Study, which offers retrospective data on trauma exposure and a measure of self-control. The results showed that the experience of serious physical attacks or assaults was associated with a 3.1% reduction in self-control, above and beyond the influence of demographic characteristics and childhood socioeconomic disadvantages. The mean number of years elapsed since the physical attack was about 30, conditional on exposure, indicating that traumatic experiences early in life exert a lasting influence on self-control. Our findings were consistent with evidence that experiences of natural disasters and armed conflicts increased impatience among survivors.JEL classification codeD12, D14, D91