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The direct and spillover effects of a mental health program for disruptive students

The direct and spillover effects of a mental health program for disruptive students

401/2019 Clement de Chaisemartin and Nicolas Navarrete
behavioural economics and wellbeing, working papers

401/2019 Clement de Chaisemartin and Nicolas Navarrete

A large literature nds that cognitive behavioral therapy programs for disruptive students can reduce their disruptiveness and improve their academic outcomes. However, the literature has mostly considered demonstration programs implemented with signicant researcher involvement, and has not studied the spillover effects on ineligible students. In this paper, we use a randomized controlled trial to estimate the direct and spillover effects of one such program, implemented as a nationwide policy in Chile. The program has no effect on eligible students' disruptiveness and academic outcomes. It increases the disruptiveness of ineligible students. Finally, it increases the segregation between eligible and ineligible students.

Behavioural Economics and Wellbeing