Corruption and mental health: Evidence from Vietnam
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Corruption and mental health : Evidence from Vietnam. / Sharma, Smriti; Singhal, Saurabh; Tarp, Finn.
In: Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Vol. 185, 2021, p. 125-137.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Corruption and mental health
T2 - Evidence from Vietnam
AU - Sharma, Smriti
AU - Singhal, Saurabh
AU - Tarp, Finn
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - While there is substantial corruption in developing countries, the costs imposed by corruption on individuals and households are little understood. This study examines the relationship between exposure to local corruption and mental health, as measured by depressive symptoms. We use two large data sets – one cross-sectional and one panel – collected across rural Vietnam. After controlling for individual and regional characteristics, we find strong and consistent evidence that day-to-day petty corruption is positively associated with psychological distress. Our results are robust to a variety of specification checks. Further, we find that the relationship between corruption and mental health is stronger for women, and that there are no heterogeneous effects by poverty status. An examination of the underlying mechanisms shows that reductions in income and trust associated with higher corruption may play a role. Finally, using a difference-in-difference estimation strategy, we also provide suggestive evidence that a recent high profile anti-corruption campaign had significant positive effects on mental health. Overall, our findings indicate that there may be substantial psychosocial and mental health benefits from efforts to reduce corruption and improve rural governance structures.
AB - While there is substantial corruption in developing countries, the costs imposed by corruption on individuals and households are little understood. This study examines the relationship between exposure to local corruption and mental health, as measured by depressive symptoms. We use two large data sets – one cross-sectional and one panel – collected across rural Vietnam. After controlling for individual and regional characteristics, we find strong and consistent evidence that day-to-day petty corruption is positively associated with psychological distress. Our results are robust to a variety of specification checks. Further, we find that the relationship between corruption and mental health is stronger for women, and that there are no heterogeneous effects by poverty status. An examination of the underlying mechanisms shows that reductions in income and trust associated with higher corruption may play a role. Finally, using a difference-in-difference estimation strategy, we also provide suggestive evidence that a recent high profile anti-corruption campaign had significant positive effects on mental health. Overall, our findings indicate that there may be substantial psychosocial and mental health benefits from efforts to reduce corruption and improve rural governance structures.
KW - Faculty of Social Sciences
KW - corruption
KW - anti-corruption
KW - Mental health
KW - depression
KW - vietnam
U2 - 10.1016/j.jebo.2021.02.008
DO - 10.1016/j.jebo.2021.02.008
M3 - Journal article
VL - 185
SP - 125
EP - 137
JO - Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
JF - Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
SN - 0167-2681
ER -
ID: 259874249