Data and Code for: Alcohol, Labor, and Agriculture

I evaluate a randomized control trial in rural Kenya in which selected households received cognitive behavioral therapy and medication to reduce alcohol abuse. Sixteen months post-intervention, the program decreased the likelihood of positive spot breathalyzer tests among men by 14 percentage points, the likelihood of heavy drinking by 19 points, and increased household real annual harvest values by 32 percent. The intervention’s success is likely due to a confluence of mechanisms, including expenditure reallocation, improved self-control, and greater information sharing among peers. This study contributes to growing evidence illustrating the efficacy of psychological interventions in improving economic well-being. Response Rates: See sampling. Village elders provided lists of all households from 30 villages in Kenya that satisfied the survey criteria (cohabiting spouses, 55 years old or younger). All these households were surveyed, resulting in 1835 surveys from individuals (up to two per household). There were no instances of individuals refusing to participate in the baseline survey. I then exclude individuals who have serious chronic illness (16 individuals) older than 55 (36 individuals), or who did not have a spouse currently cohabiting with them or where the spouse was in the two previous categories (225 individuals). This leaves a sample of 1,558 individuals (779 households). Of the 1,558 individuals, 45.8% report having consumed alcohol in the past 30 days. Households without drinkers in the baseline survey were then excluded from further participation in the program (508 individuals). Cohabiting couples in villages of rural, western Kenya in which at least one adult is a recent alcohol consumer. Smallest Geographic Unit: Village face-to-face interview;