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Cash transfers and mental health in Egypt

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
Article number101396
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>4/06/2024
<mark>Journal</mark>Economics and Human Biology
Volume54
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date7/05/24
<mark>Original language</mark>English

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 of cash transfers on mental health is mixed. In this study, we assess the causal impact of Egypt's conditional cash transfer (CCT) programme Takaful on the main recipients’ 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 supporting evidence that the programme has heterogeneous impacts on anxiety levels. We discuss possible explanations behind these null results.