The effect of poverty and income disparity on the psychological well-being of Hong Kong children

Abstract

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.

Keywords: children; depressive symptoms; income disparity; poverty; quality of life; self-esteem.