2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

An empirical analysis of social interactions about adolescent delinquencies

Research Project

Project/Area Number	23730229
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Research Field	Applied economics
Research Institution	Keio University (2012-2013) Yokohama National University (2011)
Principal Investigator	NAKAJIMA Ryo 慶應義塾大学, 経済学部, 准教授 (70431658)
Project Period (FY)	2011 – 2013
Keywords	ネットワーク
Research Abstract	This research implemented an empirical analysis of social interactions about adolescent delinquencies. Firstly, I employed a matching theory to describe friendship formation among young adults, and modeled it as a one-sided non-transferable utility game. I discovered necessary conditions to estimate an econometric model of the game with multiple predictions of stable matching. Secondly, I developed a new distanced-based test to detect localization of knowledge spillovers. Using the test, I computed the distances within which knowledge spillovers are localized. The distance of localization can be used as a basis to delineate the scope of local interactions among young adults when committing delinquent behaviors. Lastly, I construct a linear-in-means social interaction model that describes simultaneous decisions of making friends and committing delinquent acts. I estimated the structural model to gauge peer effects on youth behaviors of smoking, alcohol drinking, and illicit drug taking.

(2 results)