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Misperceived Effectiveness and the Demand for Psychotherapy

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  • Christopher Roth
  • Peter Schwardmann
  • Egon Tripodi

Abstract

While psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating depression, take-up remains low. In a sample of 1,843 depressed individuals, we document that effectiveness concerns are top-of-mind when respondents consider the value of therapy. We then show that the average respondent underestimates the effectiveness of therapy and that an information treatment correcting this misperception increases participants’ incentivized willingness to pay for therapy. Information affects therapy demand by changing beliefs rather than by shifting attention. Our results suggest that information interventions that target the perceived effectiveness of therapy are a potent tool in combating the ongoing mental health crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Roth & Peter Schwardmann & Egon Tripodi, 2024. "Misperceived Effectiveness and the Demand for Psychotherapy," Berlin School of Economics Discussion Papers 0036, Berlin School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bdp:dpaper:0036
    DOI: 10.48462/opus4-5362
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nathan Barker & Gharad T. Bryan & Dean Karlan & Angela Ofori-Atta & Christopher R. Udry, 2021. "Mental Health Therapy as a Core Strategy for Increasing Human Capital: Evidence from Ghana," NBER Working Papers 29407, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Matthias Sutter & Martin G. Kocher & Daniela Glätzle-Rützler & Stefan T. Trautmann, 2013. "Impatience and Uncertainty: Experimental Decisions Predict Adolescents' Field Behavior," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 103(1), pages 510-531, February.
    3. Matthew W. Ridley & Gautam Rao & Frank Schilbach & Vikram H. Patel, 2020. "Poverty, Depression, and Anxiety: Causal Evidence and Mechanisms," NBER Working Papers 27157, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Simon Jäger & Christopher Roth & Nina Roussille & Benjamin Schoefer, 2024. "Worker Beliefs About Outside Options," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 139(3), pages 1505-1556.
    5. Peter Andre & Ingar Haaland & Christopher Roth & Mirko Wiederholt & Johannes Wohlfart, 2021. "Narratives about the Macroeconomy," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 127, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
    6. Thomas Graeber & Christopher Roth & Florian Zimmermann, 2024. "Stories, Statistics, and Memory," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 139(4), pages 2181-2225.
    7. Blattman, Christopher & Sheridan, Margaret A. Ph.D. & Jamison, Julian C. & Chaskel, Sebastian, 2022. "Cognitive behavior therapy reduces crime and violence over 10 years: Experimental evidence," SocArXiv q85ux, Center for Open Science.
    8. Jonathan de Quidt & Johannes Haushofer, 2016. "Depression for Economists," NBER Working Papers 22973, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    9. Jonathan de Quidt & Johannes Haushofer & Christopher Roth, 2018. "Measuring and Bounding Experimenter Demand," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 108(11), pages 3266-3302, November.
    10. Christopher Blattman & Sebastian Chaskel & Julian C. Jamison & Margaret Sheridan, 2022. "Cognitive Behavior Therapy Reduces Crime and Violence over 10 Years: Experimental Evidence," NBER Working Papers 30049, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    11. Taisuke Imai & Davide D. Pace & Peter Schwardmann & Joël van der Weele & Davide Domenico Pace, 2022. "Correcting Consumer Misperceptions about CO2 Emissions," CESifo Working Paper Series 10138, CESifo.
    12. Johannes Haushofer & Robert Mudida & Jeremy P. Shapiro, 2020. "The Comparative Impact of Cash Transfers and a Psychotherapy Program on Psychological and Economic Well-being," NBER Working Papers 28106, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    13. Anselm Hager & Lukas Hensel & Johannes Hermle & Christopher Roth, 2024. "Political Activists are Not Driven by Instrumental Motives: Evidence from Two Natural Field Experiments," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 274, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
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    Cited by:

    1. Charlotte Cordes & Jana Friedrichsen & Simeon Schudy, 2023. "Motivated Procrastination," Rationality and Competition Discussion Paper Series 471, CRC TRR 190 Rationality and Competition.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mental Health; Depression; Psychotherapy; Beliefs; Effectiveness; Information policy;
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