Dimensions Of Social Exclusion Research Articles

Poverty and Social Exclusion in Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to estimate the population at risk of social exclusion in Kenya. Specifically, the study aims to assess the extent of poverty as a dimension of social exclusion; provide poverty estimates for various sub-populations and vulnerable groups; develop a methodology for analyzing social exclusion at the national level; and estimate the number of socially excluded individuals at both national and regional (rural/urban) levels.
 Methodology: This study will adopt the methodology developed by Cuesta et al. (2022) and apply a conceptual framework based on Sen's capability approach. This framework will consider the relative, multidimensional, and dynamic aspects of exclusion, identifying specific vulnerable groups based on their identity, circumstances, and socio-economic conditions. The analysis will utilize micro-counting measures from individual-level microdata to estimate the proportion of the population at risk of social exclusion.
 Findings: Nationally, 36.1% of the population were absolute poor. A higher proportion (40.1%) of population living in rural areas are poor compared to 29.1 % of population living in urban areas. Based on identities, almost half (48.3%) of the population from religious minority are poor. Persons with disability are also likely to be poor compared to any other group. 45.7% of persons living with disability are poor. Nationally, 16.6 million people are at risk of social exclusion. This represent 36.6% of the total population (close to headcount overall poverty rate of 36.1%). Children account for the largest share of at risk of exclusion. More than half (9.2 million) children are at risk of exclusion. Children, women and poor men account for 97% of at risk of exclusion groups.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: understanding the concept of social exclusion and poverty will assist policy makers and other stakeholders develop policies and strategies aimed at to creating a society where social inclusion is at the forefront, ensuring that no one is marginalized or left behind due to poverty or other forms of exclusion. This inclusive approach will contribute to equitable and sustainable economic growth, benefiting the entire population and fostering a more just and cohesive society.

Excluded despite their support - The perspectives of energy-poor households on their participation in the German energy transition narrative

EU policy documents pursue a win-win outcome for climate policies and the combatting of energy poverty. Yet current policies do not achieve the full participation of the energy-poor in regard to energy transitions. Structural factors like welfare policy, housing- and energy-market mechanisms, and tenancy prevent the energy poor from benefitting from energy transitions. Based on document analyses and in-depth interviews with 35 German households, we describe how the energy poor perceive the sustainability narrative associated with the German energy transition. Being part of this narrative creates a sense of belonging, while being deprived of the opportunity manifests yet another dimension of social exclusion. We portray three household types: those supporting climate action and energy transition with limited possibility for participation beyond energy saving; indifferent households with low energy consumption due to financial precarity; and extremely overburdened households with (mental) health issues. All groups express support for energy transitions yet remain excluded by its policies that fail to account for multidimensional vulnerability and that remain restricted to either energy-saving or one-time relief measures, both of which quickly reach their limits, especially during energy crises. Highlighting the exclusion of these groups requires specifying that distributional justice debates to include access to measures designed to enhance participation in this narrative. Such measures would enable the fair distribution of coping mechanisms to manage rising energy prices and often determine whether households can contribute to climate action while maintaining the basic comforts of life. On a policy level, only a radical shift towards inclusive, democratic policy design can help overcome the exclusion.

Individual, family and neighbourhood factors related to life satisfaction and perceived discrimination among low-income, non-immigrant mothers in seven European countries

ABSTRACT We examined associations between dimensions of social exclusion and maternal life satisfaction and maternal perceived discrimination for low-income, non-immigrant mothers of children at preschool and primary school age in seven European countries (Czech Republic, England, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal – N = 1227), using standardized survey data from a large-scale interview study. Life satisfaction and perceived discrimination were found to be associated, indicating that both dimensions are important to consider in relation to subjective well-being. The results of linear mixed effect regression models demonstrated that lack of resources in multiple dimensions of social exclusion were linked to our well-being measures, including objective life condition variables (material deprivation, poor neighbourhood quality; both outcomes) as well as more relational aspects (unemployment, less social support; life satisfaction) and adult literacy related difficulties (perceived discrimination). These findings reaffirm the importance of combatting social exclusion. There are implications for public policy, emphasizing the importance of joined-up policies that tackle different forms of exclusion.

Interakcija financijskog razvitka, nejednakosti i rizika od siromaštva u Republici Hrvatskoj

This paper examines the financial development of the Republic of Croatia as measured by the dimensions of financialization, financial deepening and financial inclusion through interaction with two dimensions of social exclusion, such as income inequality and at-risk-of-poverty rates. The aim of the paper is to determine how financialization, financial deepening and inclusion affect income inequality and the risk of poverty. In terms of financialization, research has shown that the development of the overall financial sector relative to GDP reduces income inequality and at-risk-of-poverty rates, while the growth of banking sector assets relative to GDP increases income inequality and at-riskof-poverty. With financial deepening, the share of corporate loans in GDP has been shown to increase income inequality and the at-risk-of-poverty rate, while loans to households are not significant for inequality, but therefore reduce the at-risk-of-poverty rate. The share of household loans in GDP is not significant for income inequality, but it reduces the at-risk-of-poverty rate. The financial inclusion of households has shown that the three groups of loans (transaction account overdrafts, cash and other loans) depend on the level of inequality and that the opposite causality operates. While cash loans reduce the atrisk-of-poverty rate, the at-risk-of-poverty rate as an inverse causality affects transaction account overdrafts. Key words: financialization, financial deepening, financial inclusion, income inequality, at-risk-of-poverty rate, Croatia.

A comparative study of stigma and mental health status between patients with erectile dysfunction and patients with erectile dysfunction and diabetes

Recently, although stigma and mental health among patients with diabetes have garnered significant research attention, there are still limited investigations into the stigma and mental health of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and diabetes. In this study, we aimed to examine the stigma and mental health of patients with ED and diabetes to provide insights for improving the treatment and nursing of patients with ED and diabetes. We selected 82 patients with ED and diabetes and 82 patients with ED. Patients were evaluated using the Basic Information Scale, Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) and Social Impact Scale (SIS). Patients with ED and diabetes had higher scores than the national norm in all dimensions of shame (p < 0.05), while patients with ED scored higher than the national norm in the dimensions of social exclusion, economic discrimination and internal shame (p < 0.05). Further, patients with ED and diabetes had higher scores of disease shame regarding social exclusion, internal shame and social isolation dimensions than patients with ED (p < 0.05). The score of interpersonal relationship factors of patients with ED was lower than that of the national norm (p < 0.05), while for patients with ED, the score of interpersonal relationship factors in patients’ SCL-90 was lower (p < 0.05) and the score of psychotic factors was higher than that of the national norm (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between the paranoid factor score in the SCL-90 of patients with ED and diabetes, the social exclusion dimension score, and the total score in the sense of shame (p < 0.05). Both patients with ED and diabetes and patients with ED exhibited abnormally higher rates of SCL-90 scores, indicating the presence of psychological distress and urging the need to strengthen psychological care.

Analysis of work intensity in Slovakia using testing and estimation of linear combinations of GLM parameters

Not only unemployment itself but also the reduced work intensity of a household has a major impact on the social exclusion of a person. The work intensity of households is currently being monitored in Europe mainly for purposes of identifying those people or households that are excluded from the labour market. The households’ work intensity directly affects the inclusion or exclusion from the labour market, which is one of the three social exclusion dimensions. Moreover, it also, as confirmed by several studies, fundamentally affects the other two dimensions of social exclusion, namely income poverty and material deprivation. The aim of the paper was to assess which factors in interaction with the economic activity status of a person significantly affect the household’s work intensity and, depending on these factors, to estimate the household’s work intensity. For this purpose, the general linear model and the associated analysis of marginal means and the contrast analysis were used. The analyses are based on a database EU-SILC 2020 for the Slovak Republic and performed in the SAS Enterprise Guide and by means of PROC GLM in the SAS programming language using CONTRAST and ESTIMATE statements. The article examines between which levels of significant factors there is a significant difference in terms of a household’s work intensity and in particular provides estimates of work intensity depending on the household type, educational attainment level and the age of a person. At the same time, in all three cases households are broken down by the economic activity status of the person. The presented analyses revealed categories of persons that are the most and the least threatened by labour market exclusion from the point of view of the considered factors.

Impact of protracted conflict on women in Kashmir: tracking multidimensional exclusions within social and political institutions

ABSTRACT Diminishing accountability of state institutions in Kashmir and the expectation from women to adhere to strict socio-cultural norms are subtly imposing multidimensional social exclusion on them. It limits women's mobility and choices. Security, political and institutional compulsions of conflict zones further heighten the impediments to women's lives. Civil societies in many conflict zones have demanded that violence against women and discriminatory cultural practices and stereotypes be addressed by holding state and non-state actors accountable for structural inequalities which further marginalize women. Certain dimensions of social exclusion faced by women, specifically engendered due to conflict situations, become invisible and unnoticeable by getting eclipsed by the meta-narrative of the political discourses of conflict, creating the binary of the state and the combatant. Seeing women as separate entities gives deeper insights into the graded vulnerabilities of a conflict zone. This paper attempts to see how women's agency in everyday life is affected by a persistent state of turmoil. Besides, it also looks at the structural fault lines in state institutions in addressing women's issues in the aforementioned regard.

Conceptualizing Social Exclusion from Hilary Silver’s Multidimensional Perspective

Social exclusion as a concept evolved in the late twentieth century to analyze the structuralblockage of individuals. It started gaining momentum within a short two decade-period,and succeeded in overshadowing other issues of development and underdevelopment discourses. Eventually, a context was emerged in which different societies are labeled or analyzed in terms of their exclusionary or inclusionary practices. Attempts of analyzing societies from social exclusion theories were highly popular, but most of the scholar’s focus were limited either to a single or a few dimensions of social exclusion. It is felt that the diverse and stratified society needs multidimensional perspective for being properly analyzed. This paper, therefore, aims to review pertinent theories of social exclusion, and synthesizes the main arguments from them. After reviewing a dozen of scholastic writings, this paper gives hand to Hilary Silver’sidea of multidimensional perspective in analyzingthe social exclusion. It concludes that the multidimensional form and nature of social exclusion analyzed more convincingly by Hilary Silver is more applicable to portray the picture of type and intensity of social exclusion in Nepal.

Social exclusion and substance use among African immigrants: The role of discrimination

ABSTRACT Due to their racialized identity and immigrant status, African immigrants face increased risk for social exclusion and other negative outcomes. Research indicates that discrimination, social and economic disadvantage increase risk for substance use among Black populations in the United States. While emerging studies on African immigrants have explored consequences of social exclusion on psychological health, little is known about how these conditions impact substance use patterns. This study examined the effects of social exclusion on alcohol and/or other drug use, and non-medical use of prescription drugs among African immigrants, and explored whether perceived discrimination mediated this relationship. Data were collected between 2019 and 2020 from a cross-sectional survey examining experiences of first and second-generation African immigrants across the United States (N = 597). The majority of the sample identified as female (71%) and Black (82%). Structural equation modeling was conducted with probit regression paths to examine the direct and indirect effects of three dimensions of social exclusion (sociocultural, economic, and structural) on alcohol and/or other drug use and non-medical use of prescription drugs, with perceived discrimination as the mediator. Increased sociocultural and structural exclusion significantly increased the likelihood of alcohol and/or other drug use and non-medical use of prescription drugs through the perceived discrimination pathway. Structural exclusion also had direct effects on substance use. Findings highlight the importance of examining social stressors when exploring risk for substance use, and point to the need for prevention efforts that reduce negative attitudes and promote inclusivity of this marginalized population.

Social exclusion and health outcomes among empty nest and non-empty nest older people in China

AbstractMany existing studies lack a comprehensive picture of the social exclusion statuses and health outcomes of empty nesters and those empty nesters living alone or with a spouse only. Cross-sectional analysis was conducted on representative national data from the 2014 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey, focusing on respondents aged 60 and above (N = 7,923). Four dimensions of social exclusion (social relationships, subjective feeling of being excluded, social activities and financial products) and three health outcomes (self-reported health (SRH), activities of daily living (ADLs) and depression), were considered. Results show that ‘empty nest’ older people were more likely to be excluded from social relationships and to experience subjective feelings of being excluded, and were less likely to participate in social activities than non-empty nesters. Empty nesters were significantly less likely to report fair SRH and ADL difficulties than non-empty nesters, but they were more likely to report having depression than non-empty nesters. Among ‘empty nest’ older people, empty nesters who were living alone were associated with higher levels of being excluded from social relationships and to experience subjective feelings of being excluded than those who were living with a spouse only. Future research could focus on the development of age-friendly communities which act as health interventions to address relevant situations of social exclusion and depression among empty nesters.

Social exclusion at the intersections of immigration, employment, and healthcare policy: A qualitative study of Mexican and Chinese immigrants in California

While immigrants in the US suffer poor access to healthcare in general, access within immigrant populations varies notably by legal status and employment. Intersections between immigration, employment, and healthcare policy have shaped immigrants' access or exclusion from healthcare; however, little research has examined how immigrants experience and navigate these intersections. Drawing on social exclusion theory and the theory of bounded agency, we aimed to investigate Mexican and Chinese immigrants' experiences of exclusion from healthcare as one key dimension of social exclusion–and how this was shaped by interactions with the institutions of immigration and employment. The examination of two ethnic immigrant groups who live under the same set of policies allows for a focus on the common impacts of policy. We selected Mexican and Chinese immigrants as the two largest subgroups in California's Latinx and Asian immigrant population. We use a policy lens to analyze qualitative data from the mixed-methods Research on Immigrant Health and State Policy (RIGHTS) Study, involving 60 in-depth interviews with Mexican and Chinese immigrants in California between August 2018–August 2019. We identified two primary themes: pathways of social exclusion and access, and strategies used to address social exclusion. Findings show that immigrants' exclusion from healthcare is fundamentally linked to legal status and employment, and that immigrants navigate difficult choices between opportunities for improved employment and changes in legal status. We argue that multiple categories of legal status affect immigrants' employment opportunities and social position, which, in turn, translates to stratified healthcare access. Our findings support the literature establishing legal status as a mechanism of social stratification but challenge legal-illegal binary paradigms.

Social exclusion and conflict in a rural tourism community: A case study from Likeng Village, China

Social exclusion is a dynamic process in which an individual or a group becomes isolated from an organization or community and deprived of their due rights and entitlements. This study analyzed a case of social exclusion and tourism conflict in Likeng village, Wuyuan, a rural Chinese community that is economically reliant on the tourism industry. Thematic analysis of interviews with 15 Likeng villagers across two time periods (2010 and 2016) revealed that residents experienced various dimensions of social exclusion. A lack of opportunities for effective participation in economic opportunities, political decisions, and community relationships related to the development of tourism in the community were key features of social exclusion, eventually leading to conflict. Linkages between local problems, policies, and community life should be established and opportunities for meaningful resident input in tourism development decision making should be utilized in order to decrease social exclusion and conflict.

WHO's Global Age-Friendly Cities Guide: Its Implications of a Discussion on Social Exclusion among Older Adults.

This study analyzed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Age-Friendly Cities Guide to observe its role in embodying social inclusion of older adults in attempts to prevent social exclusion. Social exclusion refers to the marginalization of individuals and groups from important economic and social opportunities in the society. Many aging societies are implementing social inclusion of older adults as one of their key policy agendas to create a more sustainable and healthy society, in recognition that age functions as one of the essential factors accelerating social exclusion and declining physical and mental health of those affected. In order to explore the pertinence of the WHO guidelines to social inclusion of older adults, content analysis was conducted on each checklist item in the WHO guideline to identify its relation to the four dimensions of social exclusion, which are social interaction, production, consumption, and political engagement. The results showed comprehensive coverage of each dimension by the guideline, although the relative importance of each dimension was unequal. Additional insights were suggested to promote further social inclusion of older adults in the context of an age-friendly environment.

Social Exclusion among African Immigrants in the United States

Abstract Research suggests exclusionary mechanisms fostering negative socioeconomic outcomes for African immigrants. This study explored predictors of social exclusion among immigrants from African countries living in the United States. The authors examined four dimensions of social exclusion that entail social–cultural and structural–economic exclusion. Authors used structural equation modeling to analyze cross-sectional survey data from first- and second-generation African immigrants across the United States (N = 409). Findings highlighted the negative effects of discrimination on all four dimensions of social exclusion. In addition, higher levels of education were associated with higher levels of social–cultural exclusion, whereas higher levels of income were protective from social and structural–economic exclusion. Authors also found health status, religion, race, and immigrant generation to have significant effects on social exclusion. Study findings have important implications for social workers seeking to identify and prevent exclusionary mechanisms and practices affecting African immigrants in the United States.

Social Exclusion of People with Disability in Bangladesh: Dimensions and Challenges

This paper is an outcome of reviewing different dimensions of social exclusion and challenges faced by people with disabilities (PWD) in Bangladesh and suggest some policy guidelines to promote inclusion of PWD into the development process. This paper is based on secondary sources of data and therefore, government, non-government organization’s study report, policy documents, journal articles, statistical report, research findings etc. were consulted to collect data and construct the paper. The paper describes the social exclusion of Bangladeshi PWD in the six broad areas e.g. income and assets, employment, education, health and social security, social relationship and recreation. Therefore, some key areas of policy implications are outlined for inclusion of PWD in Bangladesh which include the prospective way to address poverty, adopt active labor market policy, promoting social services and encouraging community based rehabilitation, providing counseling and other support services and utilizing the vision of user involvement etc.

Spatial dimension of social exclusion of urban poor in traditional core areas of Ilorin, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study assesses the spatial dimensions of social exclusion in the traditional core areas of Ilorin with specific emphases on the urban poor in Ilorin. For methodology, data collection instruments used include questionnaire administration, oral interview, personal observation for primary data; journals, reports for secondary data, respectively. The findings among others reveal that Agbarigidoma, Abimbola, Anifowose and Sheik Abdulquadri sectors in Oloje; as well as Abayawo, Kongbari, Sarumi and Sefura in Okelele were excluded from urban processes and operations based on a low income, poor housing condition, unemployment and lack of essential services. Furthermore, this study reveals that the study area is running at the risk of poor environmental sanitation, inadequate infrastructure and environmental degradation. Policy responses like proper budgetary allocation, citizen participation toward protecting human rights and strategies like the bottom-up approach were recommended as a way forward in coping and forestalling exclusion.

Two Dimensions of Social Exclusion: Economic Deprivation and Dynamics of Loneliness During Later Life in Europe

We contribute to the discussion on social exclusion by examining the relationship between material conditions and loneliness in a sample of individuals aged 50+ in the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). In its 5th wave, the survey was extended to include specific items related to economic and social deprivation. We use this extended information on material conditions and examine how it correlates with the level and dynamics of a composite loneliness measure at the time of wave 5 and between wave 5 and 6 of the survey (undertaken in 2013 and 2015, respectively). In order to isolate the effect of material deprivation on loneliness, regression analyses include an extensive set of control variables. The analyses show a strong and significant relationship between material deprivation and both the level of loneliness and deterioration in the loneliness status.

Exploring the Nature of Social Exclusion of the Hijra People in Dhaka City

The ‘third gender’ or ‘hijra’ people, who identify themselves to be neither male nor female, are largely socially excluded. This article followed the qualitative method of research. Four focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 28 hijra respondents, and three interviews were conducted with key informants. The purposive sampling method was used to select the required respondents. Very few of the previous research focused on the aspects of social exclusion of the hijra people and their current situation in a society. This will be a significant study on exploring the dimensions of social exclusion of the hijra people after being recognized as a ‘third gender’ in Bangladesh. This article examines the exclusion from the perspectives of social, economic, cultural, and political participation of the hijra community in Dhaka city, the capital city of Bangladesh. The research findings expressed that the official recognition of hijra as a third gender has not actually brought any changes in their situations. The results concluded that they are still excluded from social, economic, cultural, and political participation. There is a need for interventions from government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to minimize the vulnerability of hijra people to ensure better living standards. Future studies should focus on the living conditions of the hijra population based on the social exclusion they face in all other areas in Bangladesh.

Exposure to and Self-Perceptions of the Risk of Discrimination and Social Exclusion in Access to Public Goods, Media, Healthcare and Employment

This paper examines the dimensions of social exclusion and the elements of self-perception of discrimination in access to public goods, employment, and in the media, which is juxtaposed with the priorities of the Bulgarian National Roma Integration Strategy (NRIS). The findings are based on the "National representative sociological survey for identifying and elaborating profiles of groups and communities most affected by the risk of discrimination, such as the Roma" carried out in 2017 by "BG ASSIST LTD" and a group of scientific researchers commissioned by the Commission for Protection against Discrimination in Bulgaria. The sample consists of 3,600 individuals aged 18 or over. The ethnic distribution of the respondents is as follows: 2,985 persons of Bulgarian ethnicity, 299 of Turkish ethnicity, 246 of Roma ethnicity, and 69 of another ethnicity. The paper shows the contrast between a variety of quality indicators and the priorities of the NRIS. Based on the data obtained, the risk of discrimination among the Roma and other ethnic groups in Bulgaria is tracked in a comparative manner in major public spheres. The survey results demonstrate that the most vulnerable people in the country are those without health insurance, residing in hard-to-reach settlements, low-qualified and unemployed individuals, people with disabilities, multi-member families and single parents; these categories indisputably include a solid share of Roma. Nevertheless, as the results show, not all Roma and arguably not only Roma are the most disadvantaged and marginalized individuals in Bulgarian society. This study's outcomes are related particularly to profiling the groups at risk, allowing critical linkages between the empirical data and ways of improving equal opportunities and non-discrimination policies. On the part of the NRIS, the paper calls for identifying adequate measures and a balanced approach to political engagement with the planning process in the coming years.

The Stranger in Immigrant Integration

This paper suggests that Alfred Schutz’s account of systems of typi­fication together with Sara Ahmed’s account of the proximity of the stranger allows for a different understanding of social integration. The paper proposes to rethink the political and social relationship of the in-group and the stranger, approached through the face-to-face encounter between an integration counselor and an immigrant. The encounter offers a disruption of what is taken for granted by the in-group and functions as a catalyst for a system of reference to appear at all. Through Ahmed’s account on the familiarity and proximity of the stranger, I argue that integration practices are considered to produce, rather than translate, a coherent system of reference for an in-group. The institutionalization of social integration is consequently risking concealing the “unintegratable” stranger rather than offering a solution for the more epistemological dimensions of social exclusion that we find in the experience of sameness and difference.