Masa, R., Chowa, G., & Sherraden, M. (2020). An evaluation of a school-based savings program and its effect on sexual risk behaviors and victimization among young Ghanaians. Youth & Society, 52(7), 1083–1106. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X18824730
Tag: YouthSave
The Persistent Effects of Youth Savings Reminders: Experimental Evidence from Text-Message Campaigns in Colombia
Rodríguez, C., & Saavedra, J. E. (2019). The persistent effects of youth savings reminders: Experimental evidence from text-message campaigns in Colombia. Journal of Development Economics, 139, 135–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2019.03.001
Effects of Youth Savings Accounts on School Attendance and Academic Performance: Evidence from a Youth Savings Experiment
Ansong, D., Chowa, G., Masa, R., Despard, M. R., Sherraden, M., Wu, S., & Osei-Akoto, I. (2019). Effects of youth savings accounts on school attendance and academic performance: Evidence from a youth savings experiment. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 40(2), 269–281. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-018-9604-5
Ssewamala named William E. Gordon Distinguished Professor

On February 8, Fred Melch Ssewamala, PhD, a renowned social and economic development scholar, was installed as the William E. Gordon Distinguished Professor at the Brown School of Social Work.
“Taking the Bank to the Youth:” Impacts on Saving and Asset Building From the Ghana YouthSave Experiment
Lee, Y. S., Johnson, L., Ansong, D., Osei-Akoto, I., Masa, R., Chowa, G., & Sherraden, M. (2017). “Taking the Bank to the Youth”: Impacts on savings from the Ghana YouthSave Experiment. Journal of International Development, 29(7), 936–947. doi:10.1002/jid.3315
The Role of Parents in Introducing Children to Financial Services: Evidence From Ghana-YouthSave
Wu, S., Despard, M. R., & Chowa, G. (2017). The role of parents in introducing children to financial services: Evidence from Ghana-YouthSave. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 38(3), 453–462. doi:10.1007/s10834-017-9519-6
Nudging Youth to Develop Savings Habits: Experimental Evidence Using SMS Messages
Rodríguez, C., & Saavedra, J. E. (2016). Nudging youth to develop savings habits: Experimental evidence using SMS messages (CSD Working Paper No. 16-19). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Officials in Ghana hear YouthSave findings, explore next steps

Top Ghana officials, representatives from more than 20 financial institutions and practitioners met in April in Accra, Ghana, to learn about YouthSave research findings and how they could encourage young people to open bank accounts and save.
Youth Savings Patterns and Performance in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal
Johnson, L., Lee, Y., Ansong, D., Sherraden, M., Chowa, G., Ssewamala, F., … Saavedra, J. (2016, April). Youth savings patterns and performance in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal (CSD Fact Sheet No. 16-10). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
New report explores global lessons from youth savings

In 2010, researchers in the vast YouthSave Initiative started investigating whether low-income youth can build savings in the developing countries of Colombia, Ghana, Kenya and Nepal. Now their findings are summarized in a newly released report.
‘Taking the bank to the youth’ proves fruitful, researchers find

YouthSave researchers gathered recently in Washington, D.C., to discuss what they learned over five years about how to provide scalable saving mechanisms to low-income youth—and what their findings could mean for youth development and financial inclusion.
Youth Saving Patterns and Performance in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal: Key Findings
Johnson, L., Lee, Y., Ansong, D., Sherraden, M. S., Chowa, G. A. N., Ssewamala, F., … Saavedra, J. (2015, September). Youth savings patterns and performance in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal: Key findings (CSD Research Brief No. 15-55). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Impacts of Financial Inclusion on Youth Development: Findings From the Ghana YouthSave Experiment
Chowa, G., Masa, R., Osei-Akoto, I., Ansong, D., Despard, M. R., Afranie, S., … Sherraden, M. (2015). Impacts of financial inclusion on youth development: Findings from the Ghana YouthSave experiment (CSD Research Report No. 15-35). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
The Role of Child and Parent Savings in Promoting Expectations for University Education Among Middle School Students in Ghana: A Propensity Score Analysis
Ansong, D., Wu, S., & Chowa, G. A. (2015). The role of child and parent savings in promoting expectations for university education among middle school students in Ghana: A propensity score analysis. Children and Youth Services Review, 58, 265–273. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.08.009
“Taking the Bank to the Youth:” Impacts on Saving and Asset Building From the Ghana YouthSave Experiment
Lee, Y., Johnson, L. Sherraden, M., Ansong, D., Osei-Akoto, I., & Chowa, G. A. (2015). “Taking the bank to the Youth:” Impacts on saving and asset building from the Ghana YouthSave Experiment (CSD Working Paper No. 15-43). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Youth Savings Patterns and Performance in Ghana: A Supplementary Report
Johnson, L., Lee, Y., Ansong, D., Chowa, G., Osei-Akoto, I., & Sherraden, M. (2015). Youth savings patterns and performance in Ghana: A supplementary report (YouthSave Research Report No. 15-27). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Article illuminates savings of Sub-Saharan Africa’s youth

Most young people in Sub-Saharan Africa are not saving money, and an article in the journal Global Social Welfare explains what helps or hurts them in their efforts.
Voices of Youth, Parents, and Stakeholders: Findings From Case Studies in the YouthSave Project
Zou, L., Myers-Tlapek, S., Sherraden, M. S., Gabbert, J. W., Ritterbusch, A., Appiah, E., … Maharjan, M. (2015). Voices of youth, parents, and stakeholders: Findings from case studies in the YouthSave Project (YouthSave Research Report No 15-31). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Facilitators and Obstacles in Youth Saving: Perspectives From Ghana and Kenya
Zou, L., Tlapek, S. M., Njenga, G., Appiah, E., Opai-Tetteh, D., & Sherraden, M. S. (2015). Facilitators and obstacles in youth saving: Perspectives from Ghana and Kenya. Global Social Welfare, 2(3), 65–74. doi:10.1007/s40609-015-0028-y
YouthSave Learning & Exchange Conference
March 17-19, 2015, Toronto, Ontario
Report offers insights into young people’s saving in developing countries

A groundbreaking project examining the attitudes and practices of young people in developing economies toward saving money has led to new findings that confirm and challenge assumptions about youth saving at formal financial institutions.
Youth Savings Patterns and Performance in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal: Executive Summary
Johnson, L., Lee, Y., Ansong, D., Sherraden, M. S., Chowa, G. N., Ssewamala, F., … Saavedra, J. (2015). Youth savings patterns and performance in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal: Executive summary (CSD Research Summary). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7Q81CNZ
Youth Savings Patterns and Performance in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal
Johnson, L., Lee, Y., Ansong, D., Sherraden, M. S., Chowa, A. N., Ssewamala, F., … Saavedra, J. (2015). Youth savings patterns and performance in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal (YouthSave Research Report No. 15-01). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Kids in developing countries can, do save

Children in four developing countries saved more than $1.8 million during the YouthSave initiative, one of the largest scientific studies of the effect of savings on people ages 12 to 18.
Baseline Survey of the Third Cohort: A Supplemental Report From the YouthSave Ghana Experiment
Chowa, G. A. N., Ansong, D., Masa, R., Wu, S., Ramos, Y., & Kimathi, M. B. (2014). Baseline survey of the third cohort: A supplemental report from the YouthSave Ghana Experiment (YouthSave Research Report No. 14-26). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Testing a Measurement Model of Financial Capability Among Youth in Ghana
Despard, M. R., & Chowa, G. (2014). Testing a measurement model of financial capability among youth in Ghana. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 48(2), 301–322. doi: 10.1111/joca.12031
The Influence of Parental Financial Socialization on Youth’s Financial Behavior: Evidence From Ghana
Chowa, G. A. N., & Despard, M. R. (2013). The influence of parental financial socialization on youth’s financial behavior: Evidence from Ghana. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 35(3), 376–389. doi:10.1007/s10834-013-9377-9
Asset Ownership and Academic Achievement Among Youth in Ghana: Examining Associations Based on Asset Type and Academic Subject
Chowa, G. A. N., & Masa, R. D. (2013). Asset ownership and academic achievement among youth in Ghana: Examining associations based on asset type and academic subject (CSD Working Paper No. 13-25). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Youth Savings Patterns and Performance in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal
Johnson, L., Lee, Y. S., Sherraden, M., Chowa, G. A. N., Ansong, D., Ssewamala, F., … Saavedra, J. (2013, October). Youth savings patterns and performance in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal (YouthSave Research Brief No. 13-26). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Visual Demonstration of Academic Performance and Parental Involvement in Ghana
Ansong, D., & Chowa, G. A. N. (2013, September). Visual demonstration of academic performance and parental involvement in Ghana (YouthSave Research Brief No. 13-17). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
The Impact of Asset Ownership on Future Orientation of Youth and Their Parents: Evidence From the YouthSave Ghana Experiment
Chowa, G. A. N., & Masa, R. D. (2013). The impact of asset ownership on future orientation of youth and their parents: Evidence from the YouthSave Ghana Experiment (CSD Working Paper No. 13-19). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Savings can work in developing countries if you ‘take the bank to the youth’

Low-income youth in developing countries will save their money in a formal account when given the right opportunity.
Savings Patterns and Performance in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal
Johnson, L., Lee, Y. S., Sherraden, M., Chowa, G. A. N., Ansong, D., Ssewamala, F., … Saavedra, J. (2013). Savings patterns and performance in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal (YouthSave Research Report No. 13-18). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
How Do Student and School Characteristics Influence Youth Academic Performance in Ghana? A Hierarchical Linear Modeling of Baseline Data From the YouthSave Ghana Experiment
Chowa, G. A. N., Masa, R. D., Ramos, Y., & Ansong, D. (2013). How do student and school characteristics influence youth academic performance in Ghana? A hierarchical linear modeling of baseline data from the YouthSave Ghana Experiment (CSD Working Paper No. 13-16). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Parental Involvement’s Effects on Academic Performance: Evidence From the YouthSave Ghana Experiment
Chowa, G. A. N., Masa, R. D., & Tucker, J. (2013). Parental involvement’s effects on academic performance: Evidence from the YouthSave Ghana Experiment (CSD Working Paper No. 13-15). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Brown School alum, McDonnell Academy scholar is benefiting children in Thailand

Brown School alumna Molly Wimonmat Srichamroen has created a first-of-its-kind children’s savings program in her native Thailand, using knowledge she gained at the Center for Social Development. Srichamroen was also a scholar in Washington University’s McDonnell International Scholars Academy.
Special journal issue emphasizes saving and educational success

A special issue of “Economics of Education Review” marks the first comprehensive set of studies that link assets and educational attainment. Research provides evidence that college savings should be included in policies for educational financing.
Children & Youth as Economic Citizens: Review of Research on Financial Capability, Financial Inclusion, and Financial Education
Child and Youth Finance International. (2013). Children and youth as economic citizens: Review of research on financial capability, financial inclusion, and financial education (Research Working Group Report). Amsterdam: Author.
Parental Involvement and Academic Performance in Ghana
Chowa, G. A. N., Ansong, D., & Osei-Akoto, I. (2012, December). Parental involvement and academic performance in Ghana (YouthSave Research Brief No. 12-42). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Youth and Their Health in Ghana
Chowa, G. A. N., Masa, R., & Osei-Akoto, I. (2012, December). Youth and their health in Ghana (YouthSave Research Brief No. 12-41). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Youth and Saving in Ghana: A Baseline Report From the YouthSave Ghana Experiment
Chowa, G. A. N., Ansong, D., Masa, R., Despard, M. R., Osei-Akoto, I., Richmond, A.-A., Agyei-Holmes, A., & Sherraden, M. (2012). Youth and saving in Ghana: A baseline report from the YouthSave Ghana Experiment (CSD Research Report No. 12-56). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Lifelong Asset Building: Innovations and Strategies in Asia
November 16-18, 2012, Beijing, China
CSD represented in Nepal at YouthSave event

Representatives from the Center for Social Development at Washington University recently traveled halfway around the world to meet with colleagues from the YouthSave Consortium, and had the unique opportunity to talk with Nepalese youth and learn more about their savings experience.
Product Pilot Report: Youth Savings Performance in Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal
Johnson, L., Lee, Y., Osei-Akoto, I., Njenga, M., & Sharma, S. (2012, July). Product pilot report: Youth savings performance in Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal (YouthSave Research Brief No. 12-38). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
A glimpse into the lives of Ghanaian youth

Do Ghanaian youth have money? How do they get it? What do they do with it? These are questions we are beginning to answer in YouthSave using data from a baseline survey of over 6,000 in-school youth.
Financial Knowledge and Attitudes of Youth in Ghana
Chowa, G. A. N., Despard, M. R., & Osei-Akoto, I. (2012, July). Financial knowledge and attitudes of youth in Ghana (YouthSave Research Brief No. 12-37). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Youth Saving Patterns and Performance in Ghana
Chowa, G. A. N., Despard, M. R., & Osei-Akoto, I. (2012, July). Youth saving patterns and performance in Ghana (YouthSave Research Brief No. 12-36). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Youth in the Ghana Experiment: Characteristics and Living Conditions
Chowa, G. A. N., Masa, R., & Osei-Akoto, I. (2012, July). Youth in the Ghana Experiment: Characteristics and living conditions (YouthSave Research Brief No. 12-35). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
The Impact of Household Possessions on Youth’s Academic Achievement in the Ghana YouthSave Experiment
Chowa, G. A. N., Masa, R. D., Wretman, C. J., & Ansong, D. (2012). The impact of household possessions on youth’s academic achievement in the Ghana YouthSave experiment: A propensity score analysis (CSD Working Paper No. 12-17). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Symposium on International Research and Innovation
April 17, 2012, St. Louis, Missouri