The Study of Delay Discounting Among Beneficiaries of the Pé-de-Meia Program

Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the State of Mato Grosso120 enrolled

Overview

The aim of this observational study is to explore how the "Pé-de-Meia" Program, a policy of the Brazilian Federal Government designed to encourage the retention and completion of studies by students from low-income families, affects both the students' tendency towards delay discounting and their academic performance. The study seeks to answer the following questions: How does the "Pé-de-Meia" Program affect the students' propensity for delay discounting? Is there a relationship between the level of delay discounting among students, their academic performance, and school attendance? Participants in the study, high school students enrolled in the "Pé-de-Meia" Program, will undergo assessments to measure their level of delay discounting. The academic performance and school attendance of the participants will be monitored and analyzed in relation to their propensity for delay discounting

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

120

Conditions

Delay Discounting

Interventions

Pé-de-Meia ProgramBEHAVIORAL

The "Pé-de-Meia" Program was established by the Brazilian Federal Government with the aim of encouraging the retention of low-income students in high school by providing maintenance scholarships and savings opportunities. To be eligible for the program, a young person must: Be properly enrolled in a regular public high school course, be between 14 to 24 years old, come from a low-income family, and be registered in the Bolsa Família Program. The Program offers four types of incentives: An enrollment grant registered at the beginning of the academic year, paid once a year in the amount of 200 BRL. A minimum school attendance of 80% of the total class hours, paid in nine installments throughout the year at 200 BRL each. Proven participation in the National High School Exam (ENEM), paid once to the student enrolled in the third year of high school, in the amount of 200 BRL. Completion of the high school academic years, paid in a single installment of 1,000 BRL.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Delay discounting

Delay discounting measured by the Monetary Choice Questionnaire (MCQ).0.0 indicates an absence of discounting, meaning the individual values immediate and future rewards equally. This can be interpreted as a preference for delayed rewards or a long-term perspective. 0.5 indicates strong discounting, meaning the individual significantly devalues future rewards in favor of immediate ones. This is seen as an indication of high impulsivity.

Time frame: April 2024, July 2024, October 2024, December 2024, February 2025, April 2025, July 2025, October 2025, December 2025

Academic performance - grades

Academic performance will be assessed based on school grades, categorized as follows: grades below 6 will indicate low performance; grades between 6 and 8 will reflect a medium performance; and grades between 8 and 10, a high performance

Time frame: December 2024 and December 2025

School attendance

School attendance will be evaluated based on the regularity of class attendance, organized into the following categories: an attendance rate below 80% will be considered low, while an attendance rate of 80% or more will indicate excellent school attendance.