Timing of school entry and personality traits in adulthood
Barabasch A, Cygan-Rehm K, Leibing A (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 183
Article Number: 105236
DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2025.105236
Abstract
This paper investigates the long-run consequences of a later school entry for personality traits. For identification, we exploit the statutory cutoff rules for school enrollment in Germany within a regression discontinuity design. We find that relatively older school starters have persistently lower levels of neuroticism in adulthood. This effect is entirely driven by women, which has important implications for gender gaps in the labor market, as women typically score significantly higher on neuroticism at all stages of life, which puts them at a disadvantage. Our results suggest that family decisions regarding compliance with enrollment cutoffs may have lasting implications for gender gaps in socio-emotional skills.
Authors with CRIS profile
Anton Barabasch
Lehrstuhl für Soziologie und Empirische Sozialforschung (Schwerpunkt Arbeitsmarktsoziologie)
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Barabasch, A., Cygan-Rehm, K., & Leibing, A. (2026). Timing of school entry and personality traits in adulthood. European Economic Review, 183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2025.105236
MLA:
Barabasch, Anton, Kamila Cygan-Rehm, and Andreas Leibing. "Timing of school entry and personality traits in adulthood." European Economic Review 183 (2026).
BibTeX: Download