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.
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.
Authors: Ka Yan Ho; Katherine Ka Wai Lam; Daniel Thomas Bressington; Jessie Lin; Yim Wah Mak; Cynthia Wu; William H C Li Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-08-17 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Hiu Lam Helen Sze; Cheuk Lam Beanie Fung; Pui Pui Phoebe Cheung; Tsz Yuk Amy Chim; Ming Ho Lee; Cheuk Chi Cynthia Law; Wui Man Benson Lau Journal: Occup Ther Int Date: 2022-09-27 Impact factor: 1.565
Authors: Ka Yan Ho; William H C Li; Joyce Oi Kwan Chung; Katherine Ka Wai Lam; Sophia S C Chan; Wei Xia Journal: Int J Ment Health Syst Date: 2016-09-08
Authors: Laurie Long Kwan Ho; William Ho Cheung Li; Ankie Tan Cheung; Wei Xia; Ka Yan Ho; Joyce Oi Kwan Chung Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2020-09-25 Impact factor: 3.295