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A Mother’s Voice: Impacts of Spousal Communication Training on Child Health Investments

Author

Listed:
  • Martina Björkman-Nyqvist
  • Seema Jayachandran
  • Celine P. Zipfel

Abstract

Building on prior evidence that mothers often have a stronger preference for spending on children than fathers do, we use a randomized experiment to evaluate the impacts of a communication training program for mothers on child health in Uganda. The hypothesis is that the training will enable women to better convey their knowledge and preferences to their husbands and, thereby, boost investments in children's health. We find that the program increases spousal discussion about the family's health, nutrition, and finances. However, this does not increase overall adoption of health-promoting behaviors or improve child anthropometrics. One exception is that the communication training increases women's and children’s intake of protein-rich foods as well as household spending on these foods.

Suggested Citation

  • Martina Björkman-Nyqvist & Seema Jayachandran & Celine P. Zipfel, 2023. "A Mother’s Voice: Impacts of Spousal Communication Training on Child Health Investments," NBER Working Papers 30962, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30962
    Note: CH DEV EH
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    Cited by:

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    2. Friedson-Ridenour, Sophia & Pierotti, Rachael & Springer, Emily & Gebreyohannes, Alemgena, 2025. "Cultivating collaboration through joint participation: Evidence from a video-based nutrition-sensitive agricultural extension program in Ethiopia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    3. Fehr, Dietmar & Mollerstrom, Johanna & Perez-Truglia, Ricardo, 2024. "Listen to her: Gender differences in information diffusion within the household," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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