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Human well-being and in-work benefits : a randomized controlled trial
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Dorsett, Richard and Oswald, Andrew J. (2014) Human well-being and in-work benefits : a randomized controlled trial. Working Paper. Coventry, UK: Department of Economics, University of Warwick. Warwick economics research papers series (TWERPS), Volume 2014 (Number 1038).
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Text (Working paper)
WRAP_twerp_1038_oswald.pdf - Published Version Download (1109Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/resear...
Abstract
Many politicians believe they can intervene in the economy to improve people’s lives. But can
they? In a social experiment carried out in the United Kingdom, extensive in-work support was
randomly assigned among 16,000 disadvantaged people. We follow a sub-sample of 3,500
single parents for 5 ensuing years. The results reveal a remarkable, and troubling, finding. Long
after eligibility had ceased, the treated individuals had substantially lower psychological well-
being, worried more about money, and were increasingly prone to debt. Thus helping people
apparently hurt them. We discuss a behavioral framework consistent with our findings and
reflect on implications for policy.
Item Type: | Working or Discussion Paper (Working Paper) |
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Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman |
Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics |
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Well-being , Happiness -- Testing, Single parents -- Great Britain, Poor -- Great Britain, Public welfare |
Series Name: | Warwick economics research papers series (TWERPS) |
Publisher: | Department of Economics, University of Warwick |
Place of Publication: | Coventry, UK |
Official Date: | February 2014 |
Volume: | Volume 2014 |
Number: | Number 1038 |
Number of Pages: | 58 |
Status: | Not Peer Reviewed |
Publication Status: | Published |
Funder: | Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain) (ESRC), University of Warwick |
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