Income Volatility and Mental Health, Full Experiment

Conditions studied

Depression, Anxiety, Blood Pressure

About this study

Income instability is a defining aspect of the lives of the poor, who also disproportionately suffer from poor mental and physical health. This research is the first to assess the causal effects of predictable and unpredictable income instability on the psychological and physical health of the poor. It will advance the scientific knowledge on the effects of economic instability as well as understanding of health gaps across populations.

Interventions

• Behavioral: Work opportunities — Individuals in the treated arms of the study will be offered work opportunities (sewing bags) to earn cash. The timing of these opportunities and knowledge of the amount and timing varies by experimental arm.

Primary outcomes

• Depression (The measurement will be taken at endline (after 6 2-week periods of intervention). Respondents will be asked to evaluate each item over the last 10 days.)
• Anxiety (The measurement will be taken at endline (after 6 2-week periods of intervention). Respondents will be asked to evaluate each item over the last 10 days.)
• Dietary Diversity (The measurement will be taken at endline (after 6 2-week periods of intervention). Respondents will be asked to evaluate each item over the last ten days.)
• Blood Pressure (The measurement will be taken at endline (after 6 2-week periods of intervention).)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Innovations for Poverty Action, Tamale, Ghana