Misperceived effectiveness and the demand for psychotherapy

Arbeitspapier

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.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Discussion Paper ; No. 500

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft
• Subject: mental health ; depression ; psychotherapy ; beliefs ; effectiveness ; information policy

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Roth, Christopher ; Schwardmann, Peter ; Tripodi, Egon
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München und Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Collaborative Research Center Transregio 190 - Rationality and Competition
• (where): München und Berlin
• (when): 2024

Further information

• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:41 AM CET