Research Seminars @ Illinois

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Tailored for undergraduate researchers, this calendar is a curated list of research seminars at the University of Illinois. Explore the diverse world of research and expand your knowledge through engaging sessions designed to inspire and enlighten.

To have your events added or removed from this calendar, please contact OUR at ugresearch@illinois.edu

Speaker Parthu Kalva - The Effects of Cash and Group Therapy in the Context of Conflict: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in Ethiopia

Event Type: Seminar/Symposium
Sponsor: IPAD (International Policy & Development)
Location: 428 Mumford Hall
Date: Feb 27, 2025 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Speaker: Parthu Kalva, PhD Student ACE
Views: 30
Originating Calendar: ACE Seminars; Abstract
The prevalence of depression remains high in low-income contexts, particularly those affected by conflict. This paper reports on a randomized controlled trial conducted in rural Ethiopia assessing the effects of group Problem Management Plus (gPM+), a psychological intervention (group therapy) delivered by non-specialist health staff to address multiple mental health challenges, as well as a large one-time cash transfer delivered post-therapy. The trial includes three experimental arms comparing gPM+, cash, and both jointly to a status quo control within a sample of individuals reporting some depressive symptoms or functional impairment at baseline. The study occurred between 2022 and 2024, during a period of active armed conflict. Primary findings show that sixteen months post-baseline, there are no persistent effects of gPM+ alone, and persistent effects of cash alone only on economic outcomes. gPM+ and cash jointly improve mental health and economic outcomes, but only in areas not locally affected by conflict.

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