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Material Deprivation, Economic Stress and Reference Groups in Europe: An Analysis of EU-SILC2009

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher T. Whelan

    (School of Sociology and Geary Institute, University College Dublin)

  • Bertrand Maître

    (Economic and Social Research Institute, Dublin)

Abstract

In this paper we take advantage of the recent availability of data from the special module on material deprivation in the 2009 European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between material deprivation and economic stress, the mediating role played by cross-national differences in levels of income and income inequality and the implications for competing perspectives on the nature of reference groups in Europe. The paper establishes the critical role of basic deprivation, relating to inability to enjoy customary standards of living, in rising economic stress levels and in mediating the impact of socio-economic conditions. National income levels and inequality had no direct influence on economic stress. However, the impact of basic deprivation was stronger in countries with higher levels of income indicating the crucial role of national reference groups. An interaction between basic deprivation and income inequality was also observed. However, contrary to the expectation that experiencing basic deprivation in a national context of high income inequality is likely to be particularly stressful, the consequences of such deprivation were most negative in low inequality countries. Experiencing basic deprivation where high income levels and lower inequality would lead to the expectation that such deprivation is eminently avoidable exacerbates its impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher T. Whelan & Bertrand Maître, 2012. "Material Deprivation, Economic Stress and Reference Groups in Europe: An Analysis of EU-SILC2009," Working Papers 201206, Geary Institute, University College Dublin.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucd:wpaper:201206
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Delhey, Jan & Kohler, Ulrich, 2005. "From nationally bounded to pan-European inequalities? On the importance of foreign countries as reference groups," Discussion Papers, Research Unit: Inequality and Social Integration SP I 2005-204, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
    2. Lynch, John, 2000. "Income inequality and health: expanding the debate," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 51(7), pages 1001-1005, October.
    3. Maurizio Ferrera, 2009. "The JCMS Annual Lecture: National Welfare States and European Integration: In Search of a ‘Virtuous Nesting’," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(2), pages 219-233, March.
    4. Christopher T. Whelan, 2007. "Understanding the Implications of Choice of Deprivation Index for Measuring Consistent Poverty in Ireland," The Economic and Social Review, Economic and Social Studies, vol. 38(2), pages 211-234.
    5. repec:bla:jcmkts:v:47:y:2009:i::p:219-233 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Christopher T. Whelan & Bertrand Maître, 2007. "The 'Europeanisation' of Reference Groups: A reconsideration Using EU-SILC," Papers WP200, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

    deprivation; economics; income; standards of living; cross-national differences; inequality;
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