Contact Information
Global Poverty Research Lab
Northwestern University
601 University Place, Suite 10
Evanston, IL 60208
United States
Phone: +1 (224) 616-1780
Email: samuel.ampaw89@gmail.com
Education
Ph.D., Economics, University of Nottingham, 2022
M.S., Global Health, Northwestern University, 2025 (expected)
M.Phil., Economics, University of Ghana, 2016
B.A., Economics and Linguistics, University of Ghana, 2013
Primary Fields of Specialization
Health Economics
Secondary Fields of Specialization
Development Economics
Job Market Paper
“Social determinants of mental health: understanding the role of social media usage” [Download JMP (PDF)]
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the global prevalence of mental disorders across all age groups, persisting even beyond its peak periods. Lockdown and social distancing policies led to increased reliance on social media (SM) for social support and interaction. However, a surge in cyberbullying, along with decreased sleep duration and physical activity, emerged as negative consequences. I provide new quantitative evidence of the association between SM usage and the mental health of developing country residents in the post-COVID-19 digital age. Cross-sectional data on 5,631 individuals 18 years and over were obtained from the 2022/23 round of a nationally representative panel survey conducted in Ghana. I use the random forest algorithm to identify key predictors of mental distress, which are then included as controls in linear and logistic models. After controlling for the relevant variables selected by the random forest algorithm and the history of mental distress, I found a negative relationship between time spent on SM and mental distress, with some evidence of nonlinearity. Further analysis shows that, compared to non-users, individuals who spent 2.5 to 5 hours per day on SM had a lower likelihood of experiencing symptoms of mental distress. Also, those who predominantly used SM in a passive manner had higher levels of mental distress than the non-users. These results do not differ significantly across age groups, genders, religious affiliations, educational levels, or rural-urban areas. The findings of this study are essential for developing prevention and promotion policies to reduce global mental health disparities.
Work in Progress
“Transitions into and out of psychological distress in Ghana” with Andre J. Nickow, Sailaja Bobburi, and Ananya Goel (Analysis in progress)
About 13% of the global population lives with a mental disorder. While knowledge of mental health risks and protective factors is crucial in developing practical policies, only a few have been conclusively identified. The existing works used a snapshot approach, although researchers recommend applying a life-course perspective. Additionally, the literature has yet to examine the dynamic nature of transitions into and out of mental distress. Using the Kessler 10 Psychological Scale (K10), a self-report questionnaire, we explore the intermediate and long-term predictors of mental distress. The correlates of falling into and escaping mental distress are also studied. Data were obtained from a panel survey conducted from 2009 to 2023 in Ghana. The study participants were individuals aged 12 and older in 2009/10 when the nationally representative baseline survey was implemented. Three follow-up surveys were conducted in 2013/14, 2018/19 and 2022/23. A LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) regression was used to select the important variables from 106 potential factors. The selected variables were subsequently used in logistic regression for inference.
“Health insurance and household savings: evidence from Ghana” with Simon Appleton, and Xuyan Lou
The relationship between health insurance and household savings cannot be determined a priori. On the one hand, by reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, transitory income boosts could positively affect savings (income effect). On the other hand, precautionary saving might be discouraged if the financial benefit from insurance significantly reduces income uncertainties (uncertainty effect). We estimate the relationship between Ghana’s national health insurance scheme, a social intervention programme, and household savings. Data were pooled from the 2013 and 2017 Ghana Living Standards Surveys. Quantile regressions with and without instrumental variables were applied. We find a positive insurance-savings nexus. Specifically, going from having no insured member to all insured predicts higher savings. We explore potential mechanisms and find weak evidence of the uncertainty effect reinforcing the income effect.
“Effects of sustained childhood health insurance participation on adolescent school enrolment and test scores” with Simon Appleton and Xuyan Lou
Reliable childhood healthcare access, enabled by continuous health insurance coverage, can enhance human capital formation and promote economic development. We use a balanced panel dataset (2009-2018) of under-six-year-old children in Ghana to explore the association between long-term health insurance participation and school enrolment and test scores. We control for observed confounders and exploit features of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to address potential endogeneity due to unobserved confounders. We find statistically significant results for school enrolment only. Going from never enrolling in the NHIS to having coverage in all three survey rounds predicted a higher probability of being in school. The findings highlight the potential spillover effects of health policy on education.
Working Paper
“Is a move up the job ladder an escape from poverty?” with Michael Danquah, Rajesh Raj Natarajan and Kunal Sen, 2024. WIDER Working Paper 2024/84. Helsinki: UNU-WIDER. https://doi.org/10.35188/UNU-WIDER/2024/547-9.
Publications
First author
1. “Government insurance and out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure in Ghana,” with Simon Appleton and Xuyan Lou, 2023. Journal of Development Studies, 59(3): pp. 398-412.
2. “Distributional analysis of rural-urban household healthcare expenditure differentials in developing countries: evidence from Ghana,” with Edward Nketiah-Amponsah, Frank Agyire-Tettey, and Bernardin Senadza, 2020. International Journal of Development Issues, 19(3): pp. 359-375.
3. “Nonfarm enterprise participation and healthcare expenditure among farm households in rural Ghana,” with Edward Nketiah-Amponsah, Nkechi S. Owoo, and Bernardin Senadza, 2019. International Journal of Social Economics, 46(1): pp. 18-30.
4. “Gender perspective on life insurance demand in Ghana,” with Edward Nketiah-Amponsah and Nkechi S. Owoo, 2018. International Journal of Social Economics, 45(12): pp. 1631-1646.
5. “Urban farm-nonfarm diversification, household income and food expenditure in Ghana,” with Edward Nketiah-Amponsah and Bernardin Senadza, 2017. Studies in Business and Economics, 12(2): pp. 6-19.
Corresponding/senior author
6. “Determinants of maternal healthcare-seeking behaviours in Ghana,” with Alex Bawuah, 2023. International Journal of Social Economics, 50(4): pp. 207-229.
7. “Ownership and use of insecticide‐treated nets under Ghana’s National Malaria Control Program: What are the correlates?” with Alex Bawuah, 2021. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 26(12): pp. 1593-1608.
8. “Socioeconomic determinants of use and choice of modern contraceptive methods in Ghana,” with Edward Nketiah-Amponsah and Priscilla Twumasi Baffour, 2022. Tropical Medicine & Health, 50(1): p. 33.
Download Contributing Authorship Publications List (PDF)
Teaching
Download Teaching Experience and Evaluation (PDF)
References
Prof. Chris Udry (Northwestern University, Postdoc Mentor)
Prof. Simon Appleton (University of Nottingham, Ph.D. Advisor)
Prof. Oliver Morrissey (University of Nottingham, Ph.D. Advisor)
Prof. Edward Nketiah-Amponsah (University of Ghana, M.Phil. Advisor)