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The Effect of Poverty and Income Disparity on the Psychological Well‐Being of Hong Kong Children
Author(s) -
Ho Ka Yan,
Li William H. C.,
Chan Sophia S. C.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/phn.12147
Subject(s) - poverty , psychology , medicine , economics , economic growth
Objective This study explored the impact of poverty and income disparity on the psychological well‐being of Hong Kong Chinese children. Design and Sample A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 12 elementary schools from the three highest and three lowest median household income districts. A total of 1,725 pupils were recruited with 898 pupils came from low‐income and 827 from high‐income families. Measures Participants were asked to respond to the Chinese version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children, the Rosenberg self‐esteem scale, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. The data were collected from 2012 to 2013. Results Children from low‐income families reported statistically significant lower scores in self‐esteem and quality of life, but higher scores in depressive symptoms than those from high‐income families. Income disparity had their greatest impact on children's self‐esteem. Conclusion This study has addressed a gap in the literature by comparing the self‐esteem, depressive symptoms, and quality of life among children living in low‐ and high‐income families. The results add further evidence to the literature that poverty and income disparity may have a negative impact on the psychological well‐being of children.