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 a psychological (group therapy) intervention delivered by non-specialist health staff, as well as a large one-time cash transfer delivered post-therapy. The trial includes three arms comparing group therapy, 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. Findings show that sixteen months post-baseline, there are no persistent positive effects of group therapy alone; cash alone improves time use and economic outcomes. Group therapy and cash jointly improve psychosocial skills, time use, and economic outcomes, and in areas not affected by conflict, the joint intervention also improves mental health. • This randomized trial assesses the impacts of group therapy, cash, and both jointly. • The study occurred in Ethiopia during a period of active armed conflict. • Group therapy had no persistent effect; cash improved time use & economic outcomes. • The joint intervention led to enhanced psychosocial, time use, and economic outcomes. • Conflict moderates these impacts, especially for the joint cash and therapy arm.
Hidrobo et al. (Sat,) studied this question.