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

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Human Resources
Year: 2024
Volume: 59
Issue: S

Authors (7)

Manisha Shah (National Bureau of Economic Re...) Sarah Baird (not in RePEc) Jennifer Seager (not in RePEc) Benjamin Avuwadah (not in RePEc) Joan Hamory (not in RePEc) Shwetlena Sabarwal (not in RePEc) Amita Vyas (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.575 = (α=2.01 / 7 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

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.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:uwp:jhriss:v:59:y:2024:i:s:p:s317-s364
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
7
Added to Database
2026-01-29