Abstract
Multidimensional poverty in urban cities has become an increasing global concern. Income poverty, deprivation, social exclusion and subjective poverty have been commonly used as measurements for poverty. However, the path relationship among these various dimensions has been ignored. This study aims to fill this research gap by focusing on the impact on subjective poverty. A random sample survey of 1979 adult participants in Hong Kong was used for the analysis. Structural equation modelling was applied in studying the path relationship among the monetary, material, social and subjective dimensions of poverty. Subjective poverty was predicted through a mediated model, with deprivation and social exclusion as the mediators. The result of this structural equation modelling indicated that the impact of income on subjective poverty was partially mediated by the material and social dimensions of poverty. In an age group comparison analysis, deprivation showed a larger influence on the elderly group, whilst social exclusion had a larger mediating effect on the younger group. The implication of these results and limitations are discussed.
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Funding
The work was supported by a Grant from the Central Policy Unit of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Project No. 4003-SPPR-11).
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Siu Ming Chan was responsible for literature search, data analysis, data interpretation and writing of this paper. Hung Wong was responsible for the overall research design, data collection of the data set. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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This study was approved by the Survey and Behavioral Research Ethics Committee of The Chinese University of Hong Kong in Jun 2012.
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Appendix: 21 Items of Daily Necessities for Measuring Deprivation
Appendix: 21 Items of Daily Necessities for Measuring Deprivation
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1.
Three meals a day.
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2.
Fresh fruit or vegetables every day.
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3.
Eat fresh/frozen poultry for special occasions (e.g. Chinese New Year).
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4.
One or two pieces of new clothes in a year.
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5.
Enough warm clothes for cold weather.
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6.
One set of decent clothes (e.g. for job interview/Chinese New Year celebration).
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7.
Able to consult private doctor when you are sick.
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8.
Able to consult Chinese medicine practitioner when you are sick and purchase prescribed medicines.
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9.
Can pay for spectacles if needed.
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10.
Have toilet inside a self-contained apartment, with no need to share with other residents.
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11.
A mobile phone or telephone landline.
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12.
A washing machine.
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13.
An air-conditioner.
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14.
A computer device with internet connection at home.
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15.
Able to replace worn out furniture.
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16.
Able to replace/repair broken electrical goods (e.g. refrigerator or washing machine).
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17.
Some amount of money to spend each week on yourself, not on your family.
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18.
Celebrations on special occasions (e.g. Chinese New Year).
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19.
A meal out with friends or family at least once a month.
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20.
Can offer a gift of money on occasion of wedding.
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21.
Give red pocket money (laisee) during Chinese New Year.
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Chan, S.M., Wong, H. Impact of Income, Deprivation and Social Exclusion on Subjective Poverty: A Structural Equation Model of Multidimensional Poverty in Hong Kong. Soc Indic Res 152, 971–990 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-020-02476-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-020-02476-8