Work in progress
Do More School Resources Increase Learning Outcomes? Evidence from an Extended School-Day Reform in Peruvian Secondary Schools. Agüero, J, Favara, M., Porter, C., Sánchez, A. [Journal of Human Resources, revise and resubmitted, 2nd round, latest draft]
The Impact of the JUNTOS Conditional Cash Transfer Programme on Foundational Cognitive Skills: Does Age of Enrollment Matter? Scott, D., Lopez, J., Sánchez, A. & Behrman, J. [Submitted, latest draft]
The Power of Believing You Can Get Smarter: The Impact of a Growth-Mindset Intervention on Academic Achievement in Peru. Outes, I., Sánchez, A., Vakis, R. [early draft]
Stratification of Returns to Higher Education in Peru: The Role of Education Quality and Major Choices
Sánchez, A., Favara, M., Porter, C. [early draft]
Life-Course Determinants of Mental Health: Cross-Country Longitudinal Evidence among Young Adults in Ethiopia, India, and Peru. Favara, M., Freund, R., Quigua, J., Sánchez, A. [Submitted, draft available upon request]
Abstract: "We use unique individual-level panel data from Ethiopia, India, and Peru to examine the life-course determinants of mental health in young adulthood. We document that (a) reported symptoms of anxiety and depression vary substantially across countries; (b) early-life conditions, particularly caregiver mental health and household wealth, are significant predictors of young adult mental health; (c) adolescent experiences, including social relationships, socioemotional skills, and academic performance, play a critical role; (d) contemporaneous factors in young adulthood—such as interpersonal trust, exposure to economic shocks and violence, and personality traits—are strongly associated with mental health outcomes; (e) gender differences are substantial, and there is significant heterogeneity in how factors are associated by gender; (f) cross-country differences highlight the importance of local economic, social, and cultural conditions in shaping mental health trajectories. Our findings underscore the need for early interventions, context-specific policies, and gender-sensitive approaches to improve mental health in LMICs."
When Choice Matters: the Asymmetric Effects of Precommitment Implementation on Healthy Food Choice
Favara, M., Mihaylovaa, J., Sánchez, A. [Submitted, draft available upon request]
Thematic abstract: "This paper investigates the role of precommitment in making healthy food choices, using a lab-in-the-field experiment embedded in the Young Lives longitudinal study in Peru. Participants were asked whether they wished to pre-commit to their preferred snack choice (either healthy or unhealthy) to be consumed the following day, or if they would prefer to choose the snack on the spot. A randomised subsample was informed about the rationale for precommitment (information treatment) prior to their decision. After deciding whether they would like to pre-commit their snack choice or not, participants were again randomised into two groups: the first group had their preferred commitment method (either pre-commit or choose on the spot) implemented; in contrast, the second group’s choice was overridden (‘choice override’ treatment)."
Who Stays Silent? Psychosocial Traits and Non-Response to Sensitive Survey Questions
Tanima, T., Favara, M., Sánchez, A. [Submitted, draft available upon request]
Thematic abstract: "Item non-response in surveys can impact data quality by introducing bias into results and diminishing sample size, particularly when questions are sensitive. Using 2023 data from 2,560 Young Lives participants in India, we find that item non-response persists when employing privacy-enhancing Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing (ACASI). We investigate whether psychosocial traits predict patterns of item non-response in survey modules concerning substance use, crime, violence, sexual and reproductive health, and intimate partner violence. To alleviate concerns regarding reverse causality and omitted variable bias, we utilise measures of self-efficacy and self-esteem collected seven years earlier, and control for a comprehensive set of socioeconomic characteristics, social attitudes, and survey administration factors."