The Psychological Impact of Poverty (Requested by Comment)

Living in poverty can bring constant stress and anxiety, which can seriously affect your mental health over time. In this video, we explore how poverty affects your mental health and the psychological impact of poverty on your well-being. Living in poverty can contribute to chronic stress and anxiety, which can lead to long-term consequences on mental health. We’ll dive into the effects of poverty on mental health and discuss ways to cope with these challenges. Understanding the psychological effects of poverty is crucial to breaking the cycle and improving overall well-being. Watch to learn more!

Writer: Dylan Swanepoel
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
Animator: Marlon Gonzales
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong
Thumbnail by: Zuzanna Kuklińska

References:
Haushofer, J., & Fehr, E. (2014). On the psychology of poverty. science, 344(6186), 862-867.
Poluektova, O., Efremova, M., & Breugelmans, S. (2015). Poverty and psychology. Higher School of Economics Research Paper No. WP BRP, 49.
Frankenhuis, W. E., & Nettle, D. (2020). The strengths of people in poverty. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 29(1), 16-21.
Brooks-Gunn, J., & Duncan, G. J. (1997). The effects of poverty on children. The future of children, 55-71.

[lonewolfnergiganos]

I sometimes hate the fact that my existence solely revolves around what's in my wallet.

[LaTashaChante]

We didn’t have much growing up. I had no idea because we had so much love in the home. We looked out for each other. My grandma had very creative ways, good relationships with people in the community that fixed things and kept food in the house. My mom was very creative and skillful. As a hairdresser, she kept us looking good. I shared clothes with my sister. We kept everything clean and learned to mix and match. People never knew, nor did we know as children just how financially stressed we were. Poverty has many faces. Mindset over the matter has made a world of a difference in how we view life and living.

[arthurpenfield]

I grew up dirt poor. I didn't even have diapers. I had old tshirts with clothes pins used as a diaper. I missed out on a lot of happy times because of being poor. I'm still poor even today in this overinflated inflation and all my family is dead. Poverty from a kid to adulthood can definitely lead to chronic depression and being stuck in a fast world.

[tori]

What affected me the most as a child growing up in poverty was lack of food and the violence. I was very soft hearted but growing up in the hood is almost synonymous with having to tussle.

[nightshade]

Money may not directly give you happiness, but it can afford your needs to attain happiness.



my familys' financial state has been in a painful downhill ever since covid, depths of debt, being barely able to eat twice a day, it makes me question if we're able to even get out of this state of misery, being sick or depressed is bad enough, being poor is even worse, both is devastating.

[thegamerpokemon]

I think one of the most thought-provoking things I learnt in an engineering module at uni was that you can generally split things into two categories within management: Hygiene (Things that are needed for appropriate functioning) and Incentives (Things that motivate you to take things to the next level). Incentives don’t work if not all hygiene factors are met. For instance, you can throw all the pizza parties you want to boost morale (incentive), but that won’t improve the work output if you don’t get enough sleep due to constant overtime (hygiene).

The interesting thing here, is that we had a brief discussion on where to put wages. In the end, the professor expressed that wages are hygiene factors, as you need enough money to sustain yourself (a living wage), and one that accurately reflects the value of your work, before you can be incentivised to do more. Doesn’t matter how many benefits you get by working overtime, if you can’t afford missing a shift at your second job. A bonus for hard work would be an incentive, but basic wages should rarely be considered it.

Money is a basic need.

[automatonfederation]

I grew up in poverty. It made me way more financially aware, responsible, and an extremely hard worker. I joined the Army as a way to get a college degree, and it worked out great because I WANTED to learn. I did have the feeling of hopelessness at times struggling paycheck to paycheck. I doesn't work that way for most people, but don't ever give up! I finally made it to middle class. :D I'm glad I grew up in poverty because I appreciate what I have now.

Only bad habit I still have from growing up in poverty is the habit of eating one meal a day, I can afford more now but my body is so used to it that I usually dont.

[eveshqat]

Not having enough money to live without being scared of becoming homeless in case something bad and unexpected happened is nightmare, neverending stress affecting entire body

[SaltyMaud]

I was raised in a fairly normal middle class household, but I wouldn't say I got all that much support growing into adulthood. I found poverty as an adult after failing to find work with my useless degree, and once you're in it, it's extremely hard to break out since solutions like going back to school for another degree cost money I don't have. Now I'm making the financially irresponsible decision of going back to school anyway. Worst case I bankrupt myself, but honestly would that be much worse than being poor with no future prospects anyway?

What sucks most is that all the money does indeed to to basic living expenses. Even going out to meet friends is a expensive luxury because public transportation costs money, not to mention if they want to do something else that costs money, like eat out, participate in entertainment, sports, any activities other than just existing. Poverty in a consumer society can promote social isolation.

[rgwhiteywins]

I have experienced poverty. I have had very long periods of time with no food or close to no food. That time is over but the effects is that when I try to fast, it triggers the starvation time in my soul and the anxiety level goes through the roof. It's like I would be doing to myself what circumstances had done to me previously.😢

[chocolaterini]

Overtly hoarding parents. The struggle to throw anything away.
No quality time with parents, too busy working
Sensitive and overly emotional parents due to stress

[Cecezz]

Having money would’ve solved 99% of my problems

[AsadAli-vwxi]

As someone who was poor as a child, I can relate to all this. Even though my dad successfully lifted us out of poverty, I can still feel the pain to poor people like its my own

[kayegalon]

Love how you started it by saying that for most of us here, it's only just about survival and affording the most basic needs whereas the more privileged people can go beyond that with resources at their disposal. Some people just can't seem to understand this.

[akosv]

Guys I am telling you, if you have been working at a company for a long time, don't be afraid to ask for a raise. More than likely he/she will give it, and worst case they say no.
Companies are not your friends so don't expect your boss to give a raise if he/she doesn't have to.

I just asked just today and got one and I am so so happy. Be brave guys and gals. I trust in you.

[BCSchmerker]

+Psych2GoTv *Thanks for the shortlist:*

0:45 *Thoughts on the Future*
1:31 *Short-sighted Economic Decisions*
3:14 *Self-Perception*
4:08 *Adaptability*
5:15 *Education*
6:10 *Access to Mental Health*

[Auricerise]

It also sucks in the dating world, especially if you're still "catching up." It's like by a certain age, people expect you to have certain things like making 6 figures and be fully promoted in your career and you must have your own place/not live with your parents as a "pre-requisite" (especially for straight men where they're "expected to pay for everything" and it saddens me whenever I see fellow women my age who have that mindset). Another one is if you don't travel, you're perceived as "boring" too. 🙄
Can extend to even just friendships/trying to meet people IRL and miss out on social opportunities just because you're not willing to drop money (however much that may be) all the time.

[fransinigiraldo]

My fear is returning to a poverty state and finding myself homeless or food insecure. I have a high focus on saving and helping my loved ones who are still less fortunate than I. I still live w a mindset of scarcity and are overtly cautious about spending money. Childhood and poverty, traumatic effects in the immigrant community, my next paper to write. Thanks for this great video.

[biasedknowledge]

Your discussion about adaptability and resilience really highlights the survivorship bias—we often only hear about the few who 'made it' out of poverty, but we overlook the many who continue to struggle because of systemic challenges. I had a coworker who was incredibly resourceful after growing up with very little, but despite their resilience, there were still so many barriers that weren't easy to overcome. You’ve captured this complex reality perfectly. Well done!

[nicatina]

I cried watching the entire video because I'm never getting out of poverty and my life only revolves around money, bills, work, and at home. I never live a normal life for myself, just once in awhile. I also never went to college for this reason AND I never got the proper, official treatment and diagnosis I could've had as 4 year old that would've helped me as I got older.