American Economic Journal:
Economic Policy
ISSN 1945-7731 (Print) | ISSN 1945-774X (Online)
Alcohol, Labor, and Agriculture
American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
(pp. 411–40)
Abstract
I evaluate a randomized control trial in rural Kenya in which selected households received cognitive behavioral therapy and medication to reduce alcohol abuse. At 16 months post-intervention, the program decreased the likelihood of positive spot breathalyzer tests among men by 14 percentage points (pp), the likelihood of heavy drinking by 19 points, and increased household real annual harvest values by 32 percent. The intervention's success is likely due to a confluence of mechanisms, including expenditure reallocation, improved self-control, and greater information sharing among peers. This study contributes to growing evidence illustrating the efficacy of psychological interventions in improving economic well-being.Citation
Murphy, David M A. 2026. "Alcohol, Labor, and Agriculture." American Economic Journal: Economic Policy 18 (3): 411–40. DOI: 10.1257/pol.20240361Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D91 Micro-Based Behavioral Economics: Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
- I12 Health Behavior
- I18 Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
- I31 General Welfare; Well-Being
- O12 Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
- O13 Economic Development: Agriculture; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Other Primary Products
- Q12 Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets