RIEB Discussion Paper Series No.2026-16

Title

Impressionable-Year Conflict Exposure and Locus of Control: Evidence from the Conflict-Affected Regions in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper examines how exposure to war during the impressionable years (ages 18–25) affects locus of control (LoC) among adults in post-war Sri Lanka. The LoC measures how much individuals feel in control over their lives. People with an internal LoC believe their actions determine their life outcomes, whereas those with an external LoC see their lives controlled by external factors such as luck or the actions of others. Using original household survey data and a within-sibling comparison strategy, the study accounts for unobserved, time-invariant characteristics shared among siblings, such as genetics, parental beliefs, and parenting styles. The findings suggest that experiencing victimization during this period lowers the sense of control, erodes community and ingroup trust, and increases the likelihood of developing depressive symptoms, with individuals from civilian households and women being among the most vulnerable.

Keywords

Impressionable years hypothesis; Locus of control; Individual victimization; Sri Lanka; Civil war

JEL Classification

D74, D83, D91

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