Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are severely limited by regulations outlawing formal work, in addition to movement restrictions that limit access to nearby informal work, potentially contributing to poor mental health outcomes. This randomized evaluation examined the effects of employment on psychosocial wellbeing and found that employment delivers significant psychosocial wellbeing, particularly among men. Moreover, a weekly cash provision of equal value did not improve psychosocial wellbeing, and 66 percent of those who worked were willing to forego cash payments for working. The results can be used to inform social protection policies for the unemployed in low income countries and refugee populations globally.

As conflict forcibly displaces millions of people, social ties and trust across groups can disintegrate and be difficult to rebuild after violence subsides. Positive and cooperative intergroup contact has the potential to reduce prejudice and improve relationships with outgroup members. Researchers evaluated the impact of mixed Christian-Muslim soccer teams on social cohesion and interactions between these groups in an ISIS-affected area of Iraq. Results indicate that Christians who played on mixed teams demonstrated a higher likelihood of engaging with Muslim teammates after the league ended. However, personal beliefs were harder to modify—the intervention did not improve their overall tolerance toward the Muslim community.

Urban crime and violence is one of the most costly and divisive issues facing cities around the world. Short-term studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective way to reduce violence and criminality among adolescents and young adults. To understand the long-term effectiveness of CBT, researchers evaluated the impact of a CBT program and unconditional cash transfers on the behavior of high-risk young men in Liberia. Results demonstrated that CBT with or without cash reduced the likelihood of aggressive and criminal behavior among participants and improved some measures of self-control and self-image. CBT plus cash amplified and prolonged these benefits. Cash alone reduced crime in the short-run, but effects dissipated within a year.