Cash transfers and mental health in Egypt

El-Enbaby, Hoda;Hollingsworth, Bruce;Maystadt, Jean-François;Singhal, Saurabh
(2024) Economics and Human Biology — Vol. 54, p. 101396 (2024)

Files

Cash_transfer_and_mental_health_Egypt_journal_pre-proof.pdf
  • Open Access
  • Adobe PDF
  • 939.89 KB
Download

Details

Authors
  • El-Enbaby, HodaLancaster University
    Author
  • Hollingsworth, BruceLancaster University
    Author
  • Maystadt, Jean-FrançoisUCLouvain
    Author
  • Singhal, SaurabhLancaster University
    Author
Abstract
The relationship between poverty and mental health is complex. Conditional cash transfers are seen as an important policy tool in reducing poverty and fostering social protection. Evidence on the impact on mental health is mixed. In this study, we assess the causal impact of the Egypt’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) programme Takaful on the main beneficiaries’ mental health. Using a regression discontinuity design, we find that receiving the Takaful CCT does not have a significant impact on the anxiety levels of mothers in our sample. In addition, we do not find much supporting evidence that the programme has an heterogeneous impact on anxiety levels. We discuss possible explanations behind these null results.
Affiliations

Citations

  • APA
  • Chicago
  • FWB

El-Enbaby, H., Hollingsworth, B., Maystadt, J.-F., & Singhal, S. (2024). Cash transfers and mental health in Egypt. Economics and Human Biology, 54, 101396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ehb.2024.101396 (Original work published 2024)