The study looked at how welfare sanctions in Germany affect people's chances of finding a job and receiving benefits. They found that the impact of sanctions can vary a lot depending on individual circumstances and when the sanction happens. Overall, sanctions tend to have positive effects on getting a job and leaving welfare in the short term, but negative effects in the medium and long term. This means that short-term studies might overestimate the benefits of sanctions. Some people benefit from sanctions early on, but others face long-lasting negative effects.