Material hardship and depression among low‐income households in South Korea: Differences by household type. (16th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Jaeseung; Shim, Joyce; Lee, RaeHyuck
• Is Part Of: International journal of social welfare. Volume 25:Number 2(2016:Apr.)
• Page Start: 187
• Page End: 198
• Publication Date: 2015-06-16
• Subjects: material hardship -- depression -- household type -- low‐income households -- Korea Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS); Social service -- Periodicals; Public welfare -- Periodicals; Social service -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; Public welfare -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; 361
• DOI: 10.1111/ijsw.12181
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-6866

Abstract

Abstract : With the recent trend of growing poverty in South Korea, low‐income households, particularly elderly‐ and single‐headed households, are at high risk of experiencing material hardship and depression. However, less is known about the association between material hardship and depression by household type in Korea. Using data ( N = 2, 913) from the Korean Welfare Panel Study and employing several methodological approaches to address the omitted variables bias, this study examined: (i) the association between material hardship and depression among low‐income households, and (ii) whether the association differed by household type. We found that experiencing material hardship was associated with a higher likelihood of being depressed. In addition, we also found that the association between material hardship and depression differed by household type. The magnitude of the association was most pronounced in single‐ and elderly‐headed households. Policy implications to improve well‐being among low‐income households were discussed.