Citation
Holmes, Christopher J. (2018). Today's decisions, Tomorrow's outcomes: Does self-control explain the educational smoking gradient?.
Social Science Research. vol. 70 pp. 229-241
Abstract
People with more education tend to have relatively healthy lifestyles. Among other things, they smoke less than those with less education. This link between education and smoking (known as the “educational gradient”) is frequently interpreted as causal: many researchers argue that education develops skills, habits, and preferences that discourage smoking and other unhealthy behaviors. However, an alternative possibility is that these skills, habits, and preferences develop early in life and determine the likelihood of both attaining a high level of education and avoiding smoking. I test the latter possibility using data from the Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). In particular, I assess the degree to which indicators of self-control in adolescence explain the association between educational attainment and smoking in adulthood. Results from a series of regression-based tests indicate that self-control is a significant predictor of both outcomes, even when controlling for a host of other risk factors. However, it does not appear to explain the educational gradient.
URL
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2017.10.009Reference Type
Journal Article
Journal Title
Social Science Research
Author(s)
Holmes, Christopher J.
Year Published
2018
Volume Number
70
Pages
229-241
Edition
November 3, 2017
DOI
10.1016/j.ssresearch.2017.10.009
Reference ID
8371
