Poverty dynamics and life satisfaction within the context of South Africa : a longitudinal multi-level modelling approach : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
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Date
2024
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Massey University
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Abstract
This study examined the longitudinal relationship between life satisfaction and poverty, and the effects of intertemporal patterns of poverty. Data from all five waves of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) were used. Longitudinal multi-level modelling results showed that an individuals’ life satisfaction tended to differ considerably between measurement occasions with variation being explained by multidimensional poverty status. Additionally, statistically significant differences in initial life satisfaction were found between individuals depending on the intertemporal patterns of poverty; individuals who were non poor across all occasions tended to report higher life satisfaction compared to individuals who were classified as transiently poor, whilst chronically poor individuals tended to report the lowest levels of life. Intertemporal poverty status was however not found to be a statistically significant predictor of rate of change in life satisfaction. Overall, these results support the need to include intemporal patterns of poverty as a key consideration both in future poverty research and in poverty intervention.
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poverty, multidimensional poverty, chronic poverty, transient poverty, life satisfaction, subjective wellbeing