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The Impact of Relative Poverty on Norwegian Adolescents’ Subjective Health: A Causal Analysis with Propensity Score Matching

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  • Jon Ivar Elstad

    (NOVA-Norwegian Social Research, P.O. Box 3223 Elisenberg, Oslo 0208, Norway)

  • Axel West Pedersen

    (Institute for Social Research, P.O. Box 3233 Elisenberg, Oslo 0208, Norway)

Abstract

Studies have revealed that relative poverty is associated with ill health, but the interpretations of this correlation vary. This article asks whether relative poverty among Norwegian adolescents is causally related to poor subjective health, i.e. , self-reported somatic and mental symptoms. Data consist of interview responses from a sample of adolescents (N = 510) and their parents, combined with register data on the family’s economic situation. Relatively poor adolescents had significantly worse subjective health than non-poor adolescents. Relatively poor adolescents also experienced many other social disadvantages, such as parental unemployment and parental ill health. Comparisons between the relatively poor and the non-poor adolescents, using propensity score matching, indicated a negative impact of relative poverty on the subjective health among those adolescents who lived in families with relatively few economic resources. The results suggest that there is a causal component in the association between relative poverty and the symptom burden of disadvantaged adolescents. Relative poverty is only one of many determinants of adolescents’ subjective health, but its role should be acknowledged when policies for promoting adolescent health are designed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jon Ivar Elstad & Axel West Pedersen, 2012. "The Impact of Relative Poverty on Norwegian Adolescents’ Subjective Health: A Causal Analysis with Propensity Score Matching," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-17, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:9:y:2012:i:12:p:4715-4731:d:22278
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    Cited by:

    1. Anja Johnsen & Anette Christine Iversen & Stein Atle Lie & Mona Sandbæk, 2015. "Does Poverty in a Scandinavian Welfare State Influence School Competence in Adolescents?," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 7(3), pages 277-297, September.
    2. Scott C. Carvajal & Noelle Miesfeld & Jean Chang & Kerstin M. Reinschmidt & Jill Guernsey De Zapien & Maria L. Fernandez & Cecilia Rosales & Lisa K. Staten, 2013. "Evidence for Long-Term Impact of Pasos Adelante : Using a Community-Wide Survey to Evaluate Chronic Disease Risk Modification in Prior Program Participants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-17, October.

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