title: The effect of poverty and income disparity on the psychological well-being of Hong Kong children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explored the impact of poverty and income disparity on the psychological well-being of Hong Kong Chinese children.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.affiliation: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Ka Yan
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: William H C
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Sophia S C
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: children; depressive symptoms; income disparity; poverty; quality of life; self-esteem