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Improving Mental Health of Adolescent Girls in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Causal Evidence from Life Skills Programming

Author

Listed:
  • Manisha Shah
  • Sarah Baird
  • Jennifer Seager
  • Benjamin Avuwadah
  • Joan Hamory
  • Shwetlena Sabarwal
  • Amita Vyas

Abstract

This study provides causal evidence on the impact of life skills programming on the mental health of adolescent girls aged 10–19 in three distinct low- and middle-income countries: Tanzania, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia. Life skills interventions significantly improved a component of mental health in all three contexts, with reductions in depression in Tanzania and improvements in socio-emotional development in Bangladesh and Ethiopia. However, findings suggest substantial heterogeneity in impact. Programs that target both adolescent boys and girls appear more effective than those that target girls alone, and existing supportive environments are a necessary condition for programs to improve mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Manisha Shah & Sarah Baird & Jennifer Seager & Benjamin Avuwadah & Joan Hamory & Shwetlena Sabarwal & Amita Vyas, 2024. "Improving Mental Health of Adolescent Girls in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Causal Evidence from Life Skills Programming," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 59(S), pages 317-364.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:59:y:2024:i:s:p:s317-s364
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.1222-12707R2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Baird, Sarah & Özler, Berk & Dell’Aira, Chiara & Parisotto, Luca & Us-Salam, Danish, 2025. "Therapy, mental health, and human capital accumulation among adolescent girls in Uganda," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    2. Baird,Sarah & Ozler, Berk & Dell'Aira, Chiara & Parisotto,Luca & Us-Salam,Danish, 2024. "Therapy, Mental Health, and Human Capital Accumulation among Adolescents in Uganda," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10849, The World Bank.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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