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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Reduces Crime and Violence over Ten Years: Experimental Evidence

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  • Christopher Blattman
  • Sebastian Chaskel
  • Julian C. Jamison
  • Margaret Sheridan

Abstract

Several small, short-term, or nonexperimental studies show that cognitive behavioral–informed interventions reduce antisocial behaviors over one to two years, but persistence research is rare. We followed 999 high-risk men in Liberia ten years after randomization into eight weeks of low-cost, nonspecialist-led therapy; $200 cash; both; or neither. A decade later, antisocial behaviors (such as robbery and drug selling) fell 0.2 standard deviations from therapy alone—significantly greater than the one-year impacts. Meanwhile, men who received therapy plus cash were 0.25 standard deviations less anti-social—similar to one-year results. In both cases, impacts were concentrated in men exhibiting highest baseline risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Blattman & Sebastian Chaskel & Julian C. Jamison & Margaret Sheridan, 2023. "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Reduces Crime and Violence over Ten Years: Experimental Evidence," American Economic Review: Insights, American Economic Association, vol. 5(4), pages 527-545, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aerins:v:5:y:2023:i:4:p:527-45
    DOI: 10.1257/aeri.20220427
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements

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