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The COVID-19 pandemic and intra-household tensions in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Wolfgang Stojetz
  • Tilman Brück
  • Mekdim D. Regassa
  • Anke Hoeffler

Abstract

This study examines the impact of countermeasures, such as stay-at-home orders and school closures, on stress within households during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a phone survey carried out in Uganda, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Mozambique throughout 2021 (N = 22,497), 70% of respondents reported the presence of intra-household tension. On average, we document that the stringency of the countermeasures increases intra-household tensions. The duration of the countermeasures significantly increases tension but at a diminishing rate. The type of countermeasure (e.g. workplace closure, public transport restrictions) is less important, with all measures, apart from international travel restrictions, significantly increasing tension. Income shocks, frequently experienced during the pandemic, were compounded by the countermeasures. Thus, countermeasures have a strong impact on the psychological and economic wellbeing of households. Policymakers need to carefully consider the intersection of economic vulnerability and public health interventions during future crises, balancing the expected benefits of countermeasures with their costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Wolfgang Stojetz & Tilman Brück & Mekdim D. Regassa & Anke Hoeffler, 2025. "The COVID-19 pandemic and intra-household tensions in Africa," HiCN Working Papers 432, Households in Conflict Network.
    • Handle: RePEc:hic:wpaper:432
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thomas Hale & Noam Angrist & Rafael Goldszmidt & Beatriz Kira & Anna Petherick & Toby Phillips & Samuel Webster & Emily Cameron-Blake & Laura Hallas & Saptarshi Majumdar & Helen Tatlow, 2021. "A global panel database of pandemic policies (Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker)," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 5(4), pages 529-538, April.
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    4. Jessica L. Lucero & Sojung Lim & Anna Maria Santiago, 2016. "Changes in Economic Hardship and Intimate Partner Violence: A Family Stress Framework," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 395-406, September.
    5. Anna Aizer, 2010. "The Gender Wage Gap and Domestic Violence," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 100(4), pages 1847-1859, September.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • R28 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Government Policy

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