Experience Of Poverty Research Articles

Experiences of mental health and poverty in high-income countries during COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-aggregation

Systematic reviews have been published that explore the experiences of living in poverty, yet there are no known studies that have synthesized the findings of research exploring the experiences of mental health and wellbeing of persons living in poverty during COVID-19. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-aggregation of qualitative evidence using the method described by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) following the PRISMA guidelines. Of 8391 titles and abstracts screened, we included 23 studies in our review and meta-aggregation. In conducting our meta-aggregation, we generated three synthesized findings: 1) magnification of inequities and marginalization during COVID-19; 2) difficulty accessing resources during the lockdown; and 3) the lockdown causing changes in mental health and wellbeing. The findings of this review suggest that persons living in poverty experienced increased difficulties with mental health and well-being during COVID-19. This was largely influenced by the presence of pandemic restrictions and increasing financial precarity that resulted in rising levels of psychosocial distress. Research regarding the plight of persons living in low income is needed to inform policy and practice for future pandemics in order to decrease the vulnerability of this population. Implementing evidence-informed policies and practices that mitigate the negative psychological effects of physical distancing restrictions on persons living in poverty are needed, and these can be identified through future research efforts.

Experiences of rural poverty in Stratford district, Aotearoa New Zealand: A qualitative study with implications for rural social work

INTRODUCTION: People experiencing poverty who live in rural communities may have complex needs as rurality exacerbates their issues. Isolation, stigma, transport difficulties and a lack of services contribute to the challenges experienced by people living in rural communities who experience poverty. For social workers, responses need to be creative and flexible to counter the lack of services or people being unable to access services due to distance and/or a lack of transport. METHODS: I conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 28 participants. Participants self-identified as experiencing poverty and ranged in age from teenagers to over 65s. Transcripts were analysed using applied thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Four themes were identified: stigma, isolation, transportation and access to services. Issues in these areas exacerbated participants’ experience of poverty. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study suggest that there is a significant advocacy role for social workers in rural communities regarding access to services and service development, transportation and challenging stigma to improve the lives of people living in rural communities who experience poverty. Further investigation is suggested to explore specific groups experiencing poverty in rural communities, particularly Māori, and to consider other marginalised identity groups and different geographical areas.

The view from ‘My Pitch’: Homeless voices in The Big Issue during the cost-of-living crisis

This paper presents a framing analysis of 12 editions of The Big Issue published in the last 3 months of 2023. The study employs framing analysis to investigate the language used by the magazine to report on poverty and homelessness. The paper analyses the ‘My Pitch’ column which represents the voice of the often-homeless vendors who sell the magazine. Using Entman’s approach to framing we analyse how individuals with lived experience of poverty and homelessness define the causes and solutions to poverty and homelessness. Furthermore, the paper offers a critical examination of the claims of the magazine to provide a platform for marginalised voices. We find that the magazine offers a platform for people with lived experience of poverty and/or homelessness to have their voices heard, although the My Pitch column offers limited space to inform the magazine’s readers of the wider context of homelessness. It also reinforces social enterprise solutions to poverty and homelessness. This framing avoids discussing shortfalls in the UK welfare system although the narrative logic of these profiles offers latent evidence of welfare dysfunction.

Children’s Plight to Life of Poverty and Injustice Captured in F.H. Batacan’s Smaller and Smaller Circles

This research paper analyzes how children's experiences of poverty and injustice are imagined and articulated in F. H. Batacan's novel Smaller and Smaller Circles. By employing content analysis, passages and excerpts from the novel were identified and subjected to in-depth analysis using sociological and philosophical approaches to literary criticism. The study aims to explore the novel’s portrayal of the causes and effects of these experiences, and how it reflects the broader discourse on the morality of children's suffering. The findings reveal that the novel imagines children's experiences of poverty and injustice as resulting from a complex interplay of societal norms, such as generational responsibility, the culture of silence, and toxic masculinity. Institutional failures, including the church’s complicity, inefficient law enforcement, and barangay deficiencies, further exacerbate these conditions. Additionally, media and societal attitudes, particularly misplaced faith and victim blaming, contribute to the perpetuation of these harmful conditions. The novel portrays these imagined experiences as leading to psychosocial trauma, delayed or denied justice, delinquency, and even suicide. Through this portrayal, the novel positions itself within the discourse on the morality of children's suffering, raising questions about the ethical implications of these societal failures.

The merging of knowledge? Lived experience of poverty and its place in public debate

This article reflects on the recent ‘turn to lived experience’ within academia and the third sector in the UK and discusses some issues arising. It then focuses on ways in which these issues might be addressed – including through a methodology employed by ATD Fourth World, an international human rights-based anti-poverty organisation founded after the Second World War that works in partnership with people affected by poverty. ATD developed the ‘merging of knowledge and practice’ to bring together different kinds of expertise, including that acquired from lived experience, to create a richer form of knowledge and better-informed practice. The article discusses this method and suggests various ways in which the lived experience of poverty can be embedded in public debate, policy and practice. People with experience of poverty can be involved in examining and conveying the many dimensions of that experience; providing training for officials dealing with people in poverty; and designing and evaluating relevant policies.

Delaware Ranks 45th Nationally in Education Outcomes: Measuring Academic Success and Improving Educational Outcomes for Delaware's Youth.

Delaware's ranking as 45th in the nation for education outcomes highlights the multifaceted challenges and influences affecting children's development and education in the state. This paper explores how student success is measured in Delaware and the impact social determinants of health have on youth outcomes, including chronic absence, homelessness, nutrition, poverty, and adverse childhood experiences. By addressing these interconnected issues, Delaware can work towards closing achievement gaps and improving educational experiences for all students. Findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive support systems within schools informed by empirical evidence to foster a conducive learning environment and improve student outcomes. By addressing the social determinants of health driving educational challenges, policymakers can take a comprehensive approach to enhance the well-being and academic success of all children in Delaware.

Equity-based energy retrofits to address energy poverty in Canada

Many energy efficiency and decarbonization retrofit programs aim to alleviate energy poverty by targeting low-income households, but these programs do not always address the multiple determinants of energy poverty. This study develops a vulnerability-based framework to explore the extent to which energy retrofit programs designed for low-income households comprehensively account for socioeconomic, demographic, and cultural structures that shape energy poverty experiences, employing Canada as an empirical case study using key informant interviews with program administrators. The framework conceptualizes energy poverty as the vulnerability to future housing-related harms, amplified by energy-related risk factors, and conditioned by a household's inability to adequately respond. The study finds several key issues limiting the capacity of low-income retrofit programs to address the overlapping and compounding determinants of energy poverty, including inadequate funding, exclusion of the poorest quality housing, limited retrofit options, and a narrow focus on energy efficiency gains. This study shows key opportunities to expand and deepen the current ecosystem of low-income retrofit programs by expanding existing policy innovations. The paper also offers suggestions for widening the policy arena to address energy poverty, both within retrofit programs and beyond.

EYoung men's experiences of violence and poverty and the relationship to sexually transmissible HIV: a cross sectional study from rural South Africa.

Young (ages 18-35 years) men are inadequately engaged in HIV prevention and treatment globally, including in South Africa, increasing the likelihood of them having sexually transmissible HIV (i.e. living with HIV but with high viral loads). We sought to understand how men's experiences of poverty and violence, impacted on transmissible HIV, directly or indirectly via mental health and substance misuse. Rural communities in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Cross-sectional population-based random selection (September 2018-June 2019), assessing transmissible HIV (living with HIV and viral load ≥400 copies/mL) via dried blood spots, and socio-demographic data. Structural equation models (SEM), assessed direct and indirect pathways from food insecurity and violence experience to transmissible-HIV, with mediators common mental disorders, alcohol use, gender inequitable attitudes and perceptions of life chances. 2,086 young (ages 18-36 years) men and 8.6%(n=178) men had transmissible HIV. In SEM no direct pathways between food insecurity, or violence experience, and transmissible HIV. Poor mental health and alcohol use mediated the relationship between violence experience and food insecurity and transmissible HIV. Life chances also mediated the food insecurity to transmissible HIV pathway. There was a high level of transmissible HIV in a representative sample of young men. The analysis highlights the need to address both the proximate 'drivers' poor mental health and substance misuse, as well as the social contexts shaping these among young men, namely poverty and violence experience. Building holistic interventions that adequately engage these multiple challenges is critical for improving HIV among young men.

The association between poverty and longitudinal patterns of adverse childhood experiences across childhood and adolescence: Findings from a prospective population-based cohort study in the UK

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect up to half the general population, they are known to co-occur, and are particularly common among those experiencing poverty. Yet, there are limited studies examining specific patterns of ACE co-occurrence considering their developmental timing. ObjectiveTo examine the longitudinal co-occurrence patterns of ACEs across childhood and adolescence, and to examine the role of poverty in predicting these. Participants and settingThe sample was 8859 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a longitudinal prospective population-based UK birth cohort. MethodsRepeated measures of ten ACEs were available, occurring in early childhood (birth-5 years), mid-childhood (6–10 years), and adolescence (11–16 years). Latent class analysis was used to identify groups of children with similar developmental patterns of ACEs. Multinomial regression was used to examine the association between poverty during pregnancy and ACE classes. ResultsSixteen percent of parents experienced poverty. A five-class latent model was selected: “Low ACEs” (72·0 %), “Early and mid-childhood household disharmony” (10·6 %), “Persistent parental mental health problems” (9·7 %), “Early childhood abuse and parental mental health problems” (5·0 %), and “Mid-childhood and adolescence ACEs” (2·6 %). Poverty was associated with a higher likelihood of being in each of the ACE classes compared to the low ACEs reference class. The largest effect size was seen for the “Early and mid-childhood household disharmony” class (OR 4·70, 95 % CI 3·68–6·00). ConclusionsA multifactorial approach to preventing ACEs is needed – including support for parents facing financial and material hardship, at-risk families, and timely interventions for those experiencing ACEs.

Lived Poverty and the Fate of African Democracies

In comparative politics, economic development is a requisite to democracy (Lipset, 1959). Democracy is deemed to fail in less developed countries as poverty has proven to be detrimental to democratic performance. This study offers a perspective on the effects of poverty on the fate of democracy in Africa. Models are estimated for the Poverty-Democracy linkages using variables derived from merged Afrobarometer survey data (2002-2018). The results indicate that poverty in Africa has a mixed effect on democracy more generally. In particular, the analysis indicates that the experience of poverty, which we have termed ‘lived poverty’, has a negative effect on demand and supply of democracy as well as on a number of attributes of political participation. The fact that the poor demand democracy less than the well-to-do while at the same time perceiving limited supply of democracy, in our view explains why more African regimes are consolidating as hybrid regimes instead of moving towards democratic consolidation

From consumption to context: assessing poverty and inequality across diverse socio-ecological systems in Ghana

Local social and ecological contexts influence the experience of poverty and inequality in a number of ways that include shaping livelihood opportunities and determining the available infrastructure, services and environmental resources, as well as people’s capacity to use them. The metrics used to define poverty and inequality function to guide local and international development policy but how these interact with the local ecological contexts is not well explored. We use a social-ecological systems (SES) lens to empirically examine how context relates to various measures of human well-being at a national scale in Ghana. Using a novel dataset constructed from the 100% Ghanian Census, we examine poverty and inequality at a fine population level across and within multiple dimensions of well-being. First, we describe how well-being varies within different Ghanian SES contexts. Second, we ask whether monetary consumption acts a good indicator for well-being across these contexts. Third, we examine measures of inequality in various metrics across SES types. We find consumption distributions differ across SES types and are markedly distinct from regional distributions based on political boundaries. Rates of improved well-being are positively correlated with consumption levels in all SES types, but correlations are weaker in less-developed contexts like, rangelands and wildlands. Finally, while consumption inequality is quite consistent across SES types, inequality in other measures of living standards (housing, water, sanitation, etc) increases dramatically in SES types as population density and infrastructural development decreases. We advocate that SES types should be recognized as distinct contexts in which actions to mitigate poverty and inequality should better incorporate the challenges unique to each.

Marriage, poverty and inferiority: A qualitative study of the causes and consequences of early marriage among Afghan migrant women in Yazd, Iran

This study investigated the phenomenon of early marriage among Afghan migrant women in Yazd city, Iran. Data were collected using qualitative research method based on interview with 20 participants. The data were analyzed using Grounded Theory approach by employing open, axial, and selective coding and the findings include 13 main and one core categories, which presented in a paradigm model. Findings indicate that early marriage usually occurs in poor families, resulting from the interplay between poverty and gender discrimination. Discriminatory attitudes, women's lack of economic independence, gender division of labor, and unfavorable economic conditions ultimately lead to "lived experience of poverty". Therefore, in a reinforcing cycle, gender inequalities and poverty are aligned, and inequalities are strengthened in all dimensions, reproducing its own social and gender norms which once again reproduce the marriage cycle of poverty and inferiority.

Experiences of water poverty in the metropolitan area of Barcelona: implications for the Global North

ABSTRACT Water poverty, primarily understood as a problem of affordability, is increasingly important in developed countries. It burdens vulnerable households with mounting debts or deprives them of this fundamental resource. Faced with this threat, households may modify their habits to reduce consumption and seek also assistance to reduce the amount of the water bill. Both strategies imply stressful efforts, often exacerbated by unexpected events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Using semi-structured interviews with 35 vulnerable households in a working-class town near Barcelona, in this paper we blend a quantitative assessment of home water habits with a qualitative analysis of strategies to reduce water bill costs. Results reveal a strong commitment to water savings but clashes with essential household needs, particularly for children. Respondents lament that despite intense water saving, bills remain high, given water's perceived expense and limited subsidy access. In sum, addressing the issue of water poverty from the subjective experience of those struggling against it in their daily lives allows to identify situations where basic physical and mental comfort of the more vulnerable is under severe stress. These experiences and perceptions are linked to sociopolitical and economic processes such as accumulation by dispossession or ecological modernization, contributing to water poverty.

Socialization of Law No. 16 of 2011 by The Aisyiyah Community in Samarinda: Efforts to Fulfill Justice and Equality before The Law for People Experiencing Poverty

Socialization of Law No. 16 of 2011 by The Aisyiyah Community in Samarinda: Efforts to Fulfill Justice and Equality before The Law for People Experiencing Poverty

Honneth’s Theory of Recognition and Material Poverty

This paper explores the intersection of poverty and recognition theory, grounded in Axel Honneth’s framework, to offer a novel perspective on poverty as a multifaceted social phenomenon. It argues that poverty should be understood not only as a lack of material resources but also as a significant deficit in social recognition, encompassing respect and social esteem. By situating poverty within the institutionalized order of recognition, the paper highlights how poverty both stems from and contributes to a lack of recognition, leading to social exclusion, shame, and stigmatization. The theoretical approach is complemented by selected empirical studies that illustrate the lived experiences of poverty, emphasizing the emotional and psychological impacts that extend beyond material deprivation. While the paper advances the theoretical understanding of poverty, it also identifies gaps in the current research, particularly the need for more empirical studies to substantiate these claims. Future research could expand upon these insights through cross-cultural studies and empirical investigations that further explore the connection between recognition and poverty. This work lays the groundwork for a deeper exploration of poverty as a social phenomenon that transcends economic metrics, advocating for a more holistic approach to poverty research.

Addressing hardship and climate change: Citizens' perceptions of costs of living, social inequalities and priorities for policy

AbstractIn the wake of rising energy prices and the cost of living crisis, some have claimed that climate policies are at odds with citizens' more pressing everyday living concerns. Critics challenge these simplifying narratives that shorter term economic and social wellbeing priorities and ‘longer term’ decarbonization policies are in tension with one another and argue that effective policies must treat them as interconnected. Evidence regarding how citizens think about climate policy mostly focus on policy acceptability, highlighting the role of perceptions of effectiveness and fairness, but there is a quite limited conceptualization of contexts of social inequality, and even more limited engagement with the views of marginalized groups whose buy‐in is seen as crucial for effective net zero transitions. This paper reviews the evidence and analyses new data from a small exploratory study with citizens from low income and marginalized backgrounds. In group discussions several participants emphasized the importance of tackling both social hardships and climate priorities, seen by some as interlinked. Further, many described wider societal unfairness relating to experiences of poverty, exploitation, a lack of voice or even recognition and a keen sense of disconnect between politics and their own everyday concerns and lived experiences. I argue that climate policy making should engage more fully with contexts of social inequality and that social wellbeing and systematic action on climate change need to be treated by policy makers and politicians as profoundly interlinked challenges.

Screening rates for hepatitis B and C among low-income US veterans: Data from the National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences Study.

Screening for viral hepatitis is considered a high-priority area in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Yet, few studies have examined viral hepatitis screening test use among low-income veterans who are considered high-risk with limited healthcare access. Using cross-sectional data from 933 participants in the 2021-2022 National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences (NV-HOPE) study, we examined rates and correlates of lifetime screening for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated characteristics associated with HBV/HCV screening. Nearly 16% and 21% reported lifetime HBV and HCV screening, respectively. These rates are considerably lower than HBV (47.3%) and HCV (92.9%) screening rates documented among contemporaneous veterans in VHA electronic health records. In the NV-HOPE data, veterans 50-79 years were more likely than those ≥80 years of age to ever-screen for HBV/HCV. Whereas, household income was inversely related to lifetime screening behaviours, veterans reporting 'other' employment types (vs. full-time/part-time employment) were more likely to ever-screen for HBV/HCV. Ever-screening for HBV was more likely among veterans reporting non-Hispanic 'other' (vs. non-Hispanic 'white') race, housing instability, Medicaid insurance, as well as drug use and cognitive disorder histories. Living with ≥5 members (vs. alone), histories of alcohol use, cancer, and liver disorders were also correlated with ever-screening for HCV. HIV/AIDS history correlated with ever-screening for HBV/HCV. In conclusion, fewer than one-third of low-income US veterans ever-screened for HBV/HCV, with lower screening rates among those less likely to be exposed to viral hepatitis, thereby informing interventions aimed at promoting available screening, treatment and vaccinations for HBV/HCV.

Living at the sharp end of socio-economic inequality: everyday experiences of poverty and social security receipt

Abstract This commentary explores lived experiences of social security and poverty, drawing on qualitative data generated over 11 years, and across four research studies. The research shows clearly the relational harms caused by poverty, inequality and social security delivery which is highly conditional and too often fails to treat individuals with dignity and respect. The commentary details the misrecognition and disrespect that routinely feature in claimants encounters with social security, and sets out the importance of policy change that encompasses both redistribution and recognition of the very real contributions made by people experiencing poverty. It is also vital to centre reforms that focus on the relational dimension of social security receipt, and improvements herein.

Nursing students' engagement in online learning.

Reliance on digital technology may have implications for our social and economic wellbeing, including factors such as health, environmental quality, social interaction, and educational levels. Although there may be concerns, it is important to acknowledge that digital technology also offers immediate, cost-effective and accessible solutions that are transforming various services. The COVID-19 pandemic, through the disruption of educational systems worldwide, has accelerated the transformation of higher education, leading to changes in the way it is perceived. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding the relationship between digital poverty, digital literacy, and students' online experiences. This article aims to explore the engagement of nursing students in online learning post COVID.

Influence of social determinants of health and adversity on computerized neurocognitive assessment

Introduction: Social determinants of health and adversity, including poverty, maltreatment, and neighborhood deprivation, are individual-level factors that may significantly affect baseline neurocognitive testing and management that have yet to be thoroughly explored within the computerized neurocognitive assessment.Objectives: Examine individual-level experiences of poverty, abuse, neighborhood deprivation, and social mobility on computerized cognitive testing.Methods: The sample included 3,845 student-athletes who completed a baseline Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) and were enrolled in the Child-Household Integrated Longitudinal Data database. Multivariable linear regressions were used to assess independent variables of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program enrollment, abuse or neglect cases, Area Deprivation Index scores, and other demographic factors on four baseline ImPACT composite scores: verbal and visual memory, visuomotor, and reaction time.Results: Individual-level factors of persistent poverty and neighborhood deprivation were associated with lower composite scores; however, upward social mobility was not significantly associated with cognitive performance. The effects of mother’s race on computerized cognitive testing performance were attenuated when accounting for measures of adversity.Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of social determinants of health in computerized neurocognitive testing to ensure more culturally sensitive and precise understanding of athletic baselines.