Poverty and experiences of social devaluation: a qualitative interview study of 25 long-standing recipients of social security payments.
The purpose of this study is to explore experiences of social devaluation among people living in poverty. Twenty-five long-standing recipients of social security payments living in a city in Norway were interviewed. Most felt that people in their environment held low opinions of them regarding issues related to personality and moral integrity. Several factors play a role in the formation of such beliefs or assumptions: (a) impressions of prevailing views of the social category "the poor" and observations concerning devaluation of that category; (b) knowledge others are assumed to possess of the respondents' financial predicament; (c) perception of own social situation; (d) undesired behavior that signals low social status and low esteem; (e) actions by others that signal devaluation. Social devaluation is also experienced at the affective level: the sense of shame and guilt is widespread.
Underlid
Kjell
K
Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bergen University College, Norway. kjell.underlid@hib.no
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D012649:Self Concept; D012933:Social Identification; D012943:Social Security; D012944:Social Support