The impact of COVID‐related economic shocks on household mental health in Pakistan
利用巴基斯坦城郊家庭在疫情前后的面板数据，发现疫情导致22%的家庭失业、月收入平均下降38%，且失业使成人心理困扰得分增加0.88个标准差，儿童希望指数下降0.43个标准差，抑郁症状增加0.39个标准差，并加剧了父母压力和家庭暴力。
We combine data collected just prior to the unfolding of COVID-19 with follow-up data from July 2020 to document the adverse economic effects of the pandemic and resulting impact on parental and child mental well-being in peri-urban Pakistan. 22% of the households in our sample are affected by job loss, with monthly income down 38% on average. Our difference-in-difference results show that job loss is associated with a 0.88 standard deviation (SD) increase in adult mental distress scores (K10), a 0.43 SD reduction in a Hope index of children's aspirations, agency and future pathways, and a 0.39 SD increase in children's depression symptoms. In addition, we observe higher levels of parental stress and anger reported by children, as well as an increase in reported prevalence of domestic violence. Overall, we document that the pandemic has disproportionately and negatively affected the economic and mental well-being of the most vulnerable households in our sample.