the first pathway operates primarily through householdlevel mechanisms evolving from a pure income effect of cash into the household regardless of who is the primary recipient which reduces povertyrelated stress and improves emotional wellbeing alternatively if ct funds are used for expenditures not intended to benefit all household members for example to purchase alcohol or tobacco cash could create new sources of marital conflict finally cash or complementary interventions could if appropriately targeted increase woman s bargaining power strengthening her selfworth and potentially increasing her perceived value to the household similar to the conflict pathway this pathway may have mixed effects depending on how men respond to potential shifts in resources or power dynamics on the one hand some men may feel threatened in situations where their wives are empowered which can lead to backlash and increased ipv as men attempt to reassert control and their identity as the household provider or dominant decision maker