The Long Run Effects of a Program Aimed At Reducing Crime and Violence: Experimental Evidence from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Liberia

Study ID sspp-2021-0020-v1

General Details

Project The Long Run Effects of a Program Aimed At Reducing Crime and Violence: Experimental Evidence from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Liberia
Study ID sspp-2021-0020-v1
Study Title The Long Run Effects of a Program Aimed At Reducing Crime and Violence: Experimental Evidence from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Liberia
Authors Christopher Blattman, Sebastian Chaskel, Julian Jamison, Margaret Sheridan
Completion Time 10 Minutes
Close Date July 18, 2021
Discipline Economics, Psychology, Political Science
Field Applied Econometrics, Development Economics, Econometrics, Health Economics, Experimental Economics, Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Behavioral Economics
Country Liberia
Abstract
In 2009-2012, Blattman, Jamison, and Sheridan, worked with the Liberian NGO Network for Empowerment & Progressive Initiative (NEPI) and the research non-profit Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) to study the impact of a short, inexpensive, intensive therapy program informed by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on young men’s violent and criminal behavior. Cash alone and therapy alone initially reduced crime and violence, but effects dissipated over time. When cash followed therapy, crime and violence decreased dramatically for at least a year (Blattman et al., 2017). Based on these promising findings, as well as those of a similar program in Chicago (Heller et al., 2016), CBT interventions have been replicated around the globe in efforts to reduce violence and criminal behavior. There is no long term evidence on these programs, however. This study is a ten-year follow-up in order to track long-term effects of the CBT and the cash interventions in Liberia.

Incentive Details

Incentive Type Based on forecast accuracy
Calculation Method Discrete: Fixed payment if forecast is within bounds
Recipient Pool Everyone receives the incentives

Citation
Blattman, Christopher, Chaskel, Sebastian, Jamison, Julian, and Margaret Sheridan. 2021. "The Long Run Effects of a Program Aimed At Reducing Crime and Violence: Experimental Evidence from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Liberia." Social Science Prediction Platform. May 19. https://socialscienceprediction.org/s/4e4000

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