Abstract:

Poverty is a multidimensional concept and it also affects the mental health of people. Many studies show that there is a link between psychological problems and poverty. Although it is not very clear whether psychological disorders arise because of poverty or vice versa, psychological or mental disorders are more prevalent in poor groups than non-poor groups. Psychological problems also affect parents’ children rearing styles significantly; so it is possible to assume that in poor families, children are affected not only by poverty but also by the poor mood of their parents. The essential aim of this study is to compare the impact evaluation findings related to child development and child psychology of different countries which implement Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, one of the most used poverty alleviation programs for children in many countries for two decades and in Turkey since 2003. In this context, studies about child poverty, psychosocial problems related to child poverty and impact analysis on CCT programs are reviewed. The data derived from researches from different countries indicate that programs like CCTs can be assumed as effective programs on poor families in the respect of regularity and conditionality especially on child development. Impact analyses show that CCT beneficiaries have better cognitive and motor skills since monetary CCT supports allow families to invest on family members, particularly on children. Besides, poor families and their children gain problem solving abilities by regularly attending to basic services. However, there is little evidence enlightening the effects of CCTs on psychological factors and it can be said that psychological and developmental dimensions should be studied more frequently when assessing the benefits of CCT programs. 

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