While nearly half of Americans will experience some sort of mental disorder at some point during their lifetime, such as anxiety, mood or impulse control disorders, those who lay lower on the socioeconomic ladder have a higher chance of developing psychological disturbances. As defined by the American Heritage Dictionary, poverty constitutes as "lack of means of providing material needs or comforts" (4). According to the U.S. government as of 2009, official qualifications to be considered impoverished and determined eligible for services and benefits are any household of four that holds a gross income under the official poverty line of about $22,000 annually (4).
The term poverty also branches out into four subcategories: absolute poverty, relative poverty, subjective poverty, and asset poverty.
- Absolute poverty refers to the inability to meet the most basic of needs.
- Relative poverty defines itself as "falling below 50% or 60% of the national median household income" (4).
- Subjective poverty describes anyone who falls below the amount of income that's necessary to barely scrape by.
- Asset poverty includes anyone whose accumulated cash and assets barely or insufficiently meet the means of getting by (wealth minus debt), with little to no savings to fall back on. Almost two-thirds (63% of children and 55% of Americans) live in asset poverty (9).
When we think of lower SES households and poverty, our mind tends to direct itself to hunger, lack of shelter, physical illnesses, and little to no resources; but what about their mental health and cognition?
In a study that consisted of a population-representative sample of over 2,100 adolescents aged from 10 years old to 16 years old, which included a 14-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study that 395 of the adolescents participated in, poverty was shown to possess a strong correlation with mental health issues among adolescents (3). Those with a lower subjective social status reported, "higher psychological distress and inattention problems, as well as more conduct problems, in daily life" (3). Less resources, lower income, and perception of social status has a detrimental effect on children's mental health and cognitive ability. Sir Michael Marmot noted that low-income children surrounded by "high-inequality settings," have a "greater exposure to higher income peers," which, in turn, leads to what Marmot has described as "status syndrome," referring to "the phenomenon of feeling poor in relation to others and the negative comparisons, self-evaluations, and health outcomes linked to this appraisal" (3). "Status syndrome" hones in on the crushing weight of hierarchy.
One study, focusing on 800 randomly selected college students, reported that students who are living in poverty had a higher rate of low level mental health. Prevalent problems among the students consisted of, "compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoia and depression" (8).
Homelessness played a large role in determining the outcome of mental illnesses among children. A positive correlation between increased levels of depression and anxiety were found in a study conducted among homeless adolescents ranging from 8-12 years old. The study resulted in adolescents who are homeless have a higher risk of developing depression among other psychological impairments (7).
Studies conducted in the 1970's, when poverty the official poverty rate was lower than today (10), reported that "women who live in financially strained circumstances and who have responsibility for young children are more likely than other women to experience symptoms of depression" (6).
Comparing the lowest socioeconomic group to the highest socioeconomic group, lower SES groups have a higher risk for developing a mental illness, reporting "1.79 for major depression, 3.59 for alcohol abuse or dependence, and 7.85 for schizophrenia" (6).
It is an obvious struggle, not only financially, but mentally, to
incessantly worry about what your next meal is going to be, transportation, how to afford clothing or shelter, and enduring major bouts of vulnerability. Low income is a major stressor that mentally impacts not only adults, but children as well. The question is, how will we change the ladder of inequality among socioeconomic status? Spreading awareness, making donations, implementing new policies, and speaking out against corporation's not paying their employees a livable wage are stepping stones to a path of equality.
Below is an online simulation, provided by McKinney, enabling online users the opportunity to understand the grievances and difficulties one must face during financial hardships, as well as the option to donate.
References:
(3)
Rivenbark, J. G., Copeland, W. E., Davisson, E. K., Gassman-Pines, A., Hoyle, R. H., Piontak,
J. R., Russell, M. A., Skinner, A. T., & Odgers, C. L. (2019). Perceived social status and
mental health among young adolescents: Evidence from census data to
cellphones. Developmental Psychology, 55(3), 574–585.
https://doiorg.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.1037/dev0000551.supp (Supplemental)
(4)
Yoshikawa, H., Aber, J. L., & Beardslee, W. R. (2012). The effects of poverty on the mental,
emotional, and behavioral health of children and youth: Implications for
prevention. American Psychologist, 67(4), 272–284. https://doi-
org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.1037/a0028015
(6)
Belle, D. (1990). Poverty and women’s mental health. American Psychologist, 45(3),
385–389. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.1037/0003-066X.45.3.385
(7)
Wagner, J., Schmitz, C. L., & Menke, E. (1996). Homelessness and depression in children:
Implications for intervention. In The Hatherleigh guide to child and adolescent
therapy. (pp. 79–102). Hatherleigh Press.
(8)
Luo, F., Shen, D., & Zhang, S. (2009). Mental health status of poverty students and its
influencing factors. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 17(3), 272–274.
(9)
Nearly two-thirds of American children live in asset poverty. (2019, February 21).
Retrieved from Synergies: https://synergies.oregonstate.edu/2019/nearly-two-
thirds-of-american-children-live-in-asset-poverty/
(10)
Sawhill, I. V. (n.d.). Poverty in America. Retrieved from EconLib: https://www.econlib.org
/library /Enc/PovertyinAmerica.html
Comments