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Chronic depression, child development and human capital among the forcibly displaced: Evidence from Syrian refugees

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  • Smith, Emma C.

Abstract

A lack of longitudinal data has largely prevented the detection of chronic depression among refugees and its intergenerational associations. I link three years of parental depression measures to children’s socio-emotional development and school attendance for Syrian refugees in Jordan. First, chronic depression is common, with over a quarter of adults likely depressed in all three survey rounds. Second, the chronicity of likely parental depression is strongly associated with increasing risk of abnormal child socio-emotional development, and both likely depression and abnormal socio-emotional development are associated with lower school attendance. The results point to caregiver behavior and household tensions as a potential mechanism. Chronic depression among a broadly representative sample of refugees appears to be prevalent and related to urgent child development and human capital needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Smith, Emma C., 2026. "Chronic depression, child development and human capital among the forcibly displaced: Evidence from Syrian refugees," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:183:y:2026:i:c:s0304387826001471
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2026.103864
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    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

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