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Can Social Protection Affect Psychosocial Wellbeing and Why Does This Matter? Lessons from Cash Transfers in Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Ramlatu Attah
  • Valentina Barca
  • Andrew Kardan
  • Ian MacAuslan
  • Fred Merttens
  • Luca Pellerano

Abstract

Social protection interventions have been demonstrated to improve traditional measures of poverty by protecting people from risk. Less research has been conducted on their impacts on psychosocial dimensions of wellbeing – self-acceptance, autonomy and purpose in life among others –, that are both intrinsically and instrumentally important. This paper provides evidence from a mixed method evaluation of a cash transfer in Kenya, and from systematic cross-country qualitative research from Ghana, Zimbabwe and Lesotho. It shows that cash transfers can have positive impacts on psychosocial wellbeing leading to further positive impacts on educational performance, participation in social life and empowerment for decision-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Ramlatu Attah & Valentina Barca & Andrew Kardan & Ian MacAuslan & Fred Merttens & Luca Pellerano, 2016. "Can Social Protection Affect Psychosocial Wellbeing and Why Does This Matter? Lessons from Cash Transfers in Sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(8), pages 1115-1131, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:52:y:2016:i:8:p:1115-1131
    DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2015.1134777
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ian MacAuslan & Nils Riemenschneider, 2011. "Richer but Resented: What do Cash Transfers do to Social Relations?," IDS Bulletin, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 42(6), pages 60-66, November.
    2. Karen Macours & Norbert Schady & Renos Vakis, 2012. "Cash Transfers, Behavioral Changes, and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 4(2), pages 247-273, April.
    3. repec:hal:pseose:halshs-00754593 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Orazio Attanasio & Luca Pellerano & Sandra Polanía Reyes, 2009. "Building Trust? Conditional Cash Transfer Programmes and Social Capital," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 30(2), pages 139-177, June.
    5. Bruno Martorano & Sudhanshu Handa & Carolyn Halpern & Harsha Thirumurthy, 2014. "Subjective Well-being, Risk Perceptions and Time Discounting: Evidence from a large-scale cash transfer programme," Papers inwopa717, Innocenti Working Papers.
    6. Alan Sánchez & Ingo Outes & Oswaldo Molina, 2010. "Psychosocial Status and Cognitive Achievement in Peru (Estado psicosocial y desarrollo cognitivo en el Perú)," Documentos de Trabajo (Niños del Milenio-GRADE) ninosm65, Niños del Milenio (Young Lives).
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    10. Karen Macours & Norbert Schady & Renos Vakis, 2012. "Cash Transfers, Behavioral Changes, and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 4(2), pages 247-273, April.
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