The Psychological Effects of Growing Up in Poverty 

Millions of people live in poverty worldwide. They lack basic facilities such as food, shelter, clothing, etc. Poverty is not a choice, and it affects people in several ways. The detrimental effects are more pronounced in children. Families in poverty find difficulty in providing basic facilities for their children. Since children depend completely on their caregivers, a poor family environment affects them physiologically, psychologically, and socially. 

The first six years are crucial in the development of children. Insufficient nutritious food, limited access to healthcare, lack of proper care and shelter, etc. affect children’s development and cause long-term impacts. This article explores the various psychological effects of poverty on individuals. 

Read More: Theories Of Child Development: Know About the Whole Stages

Psychosocial Risks of Poverty 

Several psychosocial risks are associated with poverty. 

• Lack of opportunities such as education and employment. 
• Reduced access to resources. 
• Increased stressors in life. 
• Inadequate food and housing 
• Poor sanitation and hygiene 
• Lower levels of the family such as poor maternal education, large family size, increased maternal stress and depression, inadequate stimulation in the home, and inadequate or harsh parenting. 
• Lower levels of community support 
• alcoholism
• Greater exposure to crime, violence, and abuse 
• Stigma, social isolation, or exclusion 
• Shame and humiliation 

Psychological Effects of Poverty 

Good socioeconomic status equips people with sufficient resources and a better living condition. However, children who grow up in poor conditions lack these basic resources and are at risk of several psychological conditions.

Poverty and Brain Development 

The impact of poverty is not only on the born children but also on their prenatal period. Mother’s health during pregnancy also affects the child. Women in poor families face difficulty in getting proper nutrition, care, health facilities, or support during pregnancy. Low nutrition and maternal distress during pregnancy may result in low birth weight of the child. 

Read More: Research: Maternal Mental Health Directly Impacts Children’s Well-being

The low birth weight may exacerbate the risk of psychological conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Low birth weight can also result in changes in brain structure especially those involved in executive functions. 

Lower Short-term Memory 

You may heard about the hippocampus, a brain region associated with memory and learning. This region is sensitive to stress and may disrupt short-term memory. Short-term memory helps you to hold information for a short period, such as remembering the grocery list. Apart from stress, poor nutrition and inadequate cognitive stimulation also disrupt short-term memory. 

Children with such issues find difficulty in their life and schooling. Studies also show that children from low socio-economic status have lower short-term memory scores as compared to their peers of higher socio-economic status. The effects of this will pertain to their adult life and affect different areas of their lives. Just think how this will again affect their chances of getting good employment and continue their poverty. 

Low Gray and White Matter Volume 

Gray and white matter are two kinds of tissues in the brain. The gray matter is related to movement, emotions, and memory. White matter deals with information transfer in the brain. The developmental effects of poverty on gray matter result in difficulty in retrieving speeds and reduced processing speed. Low white matter is associated with deficits in movement and cognitive function. These will become more problematic in adult life. 

Poverty and Depression 

The risk of having depression in people from low socio-economic status is 1.5 to 3 times higher than that of those from higher socio-economic status. The lower financial status hinders education and skill acquisition, especially among adolescents. Poverty leads to depression in three ways. 

1. Neighborhood: Poor neighborhood increases the risk of depression by greater stress levels and affecting quality social relationships. Research shows a high poverty rate and violent neighborhoods affect adolescent well-being and lead to depression. Adolescents in poor neighborhoods also experience poor social support.
2. School: Inclusivity in the school environment is important in students’ lives. Income inequality in the school environment causes students from low socio-economic status to experience feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. This further leads to depression. Moreover, their lower economic status hinders high-quality education and teachers. The lower facilities, less qualified teachers, and further low grades again affect students’ progress and may create a sense of self-abandonment. 
3. Parenting: Parents from low-income families are already distressed in the chaos of meeting their family’s needs. Their distress may project toward the child too. Spending quality time with children may be difficult for them in such situations. Research also shows that the stress of poverty sometimes leads to tough and less adaptive parenting, strained family interaction, and feelings of helplessness. This increases the chances of depression. 

Poverty to Anxiety 

Research shows the association between poverty-related factors and anxiety. As mentioned above, parents’ stress may lead to anxiety in children too. Poverty may affect children directly or indirectly. The parents’ economic status affects children’s development depending on the limitations in the available resources and emotional support from parents. 

Poverty and Behavioral Issues 

Several studies reveal the connection of poverty to conduct symptoms in children. Lower family income is associated with anti-social behavior in children. Adolescents who experience poverty are more prone to earlier drug and alcohol use, sexual activity, and increased psychological issues. Moreover, studies also show children from low economic status have poor emotional development and dependency on substances. 

Interventions 

The psychological effects of poverty emphasize the relevance of interventions to deal with them. Interventions can be done in several ways. 

Intervention in Family 

You realize the influence of parenting on children from the previous sections. So intervention in the family will better the child’s mental health. Firstly, parents need to be aware of the impact of poverty and the associated parental distress on their children. Providing emotional support to parents, and giving knowledge and assistance in childcare will equip them to deal positively with their children.

Training sessions can be planned for parents on how to control their impulsive actions towards children. They need to be trained on effective communication with children and the importance of providing care and emotional support to them. Daycare facilities, easily accessible parental education programs, and early support for mental health difficulties of both parents and children trivialize the risk of mental health problems amidst poverty. 

Intervention in School 

Various programs can be implemented in schools to improve students’ health. Programs on social and emotional learning (SEL), resilience, life skills, and character education can be implemented in educational institutions. Such programs enhance students’ mental health and social and academic outcomes. 

School psychologists have an important role in students’ mental health. The free services of psychologists in schools make mental health services more accessible to students from low economic conditions. Moreover, the school environment may be more comfortable for children to seek psychological support. This enables the early intervention to any building mental health issues in children. 

Intervention at the Public Health Level 

Implementation of public health policies addresses poor mental health and its consequences in individuals. Mental health is always the least priority, especially in the Indian context. Many are still unaware of the importance of mental health and consider it unnecessary. 

So public policies must be implemented to spread awareness of the poor sections. Free mental health services must be accessible to people from different sections of society. The government investment in public mental health is very minimal. India has only minimal government mental health centers for its large population. Their number needs to be increased and the government should ensure quality mental health services to all. 

Apart from these, ensure that proper nutrition and basic facilities are available to poor sections of society. Poor nutrition, inadequate care, and facilities are affecting children’s development. The government need to ensure such facilities are reaching to everyone. 

Conclusion 

Understanding and addressing the psychological effects of poverty is very significant, especially in a developing country like India. Today’s children are tomorrow’s future. So, ensuring a better environment for them to grow is a responsibility of all. Interventions need a coordinated contribution of different professionals. In particular, the government should implement more programs for the well-being of the children from poor families. Empowering the children means empowering the family. A healthy family can nurture a healthy child. Developing a better generation will further contribute to the country’s human resource and better economic condition.

FAQS 

1. How does poverty affect child’s emotional regulation? 

Children in poverty often lack stable and nurturing relationships, leading to difficulty in managing their emotions. They may experience heightened responses to stress, struggle to calm themselves in challenging situations, or have trouble expressing emotions in healthy ways. 

2. Can poverty leads to long-term psychological effects in adulthood? 

Yes, the of childhood poverty often persist into adulthood. These may include:

• Chronic stress-related conditions (eg., anxiety, depression) 

• Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships. 
• Lower educational and career achievements due to limited opportunities in childhood. 
• Increased likelihood of intergenerational poverty. 

3. Are children in poverty more likely to develop low self-esteem? Why?

Yes, children in poverty are more likely to develop low self-esteem. This is often due to: 

• Social stigma and feelings of inferiority compared to peers. 
• Bullying or social exclusion. 
• Internalizing the belief that their circumstances are a reflection of personal failure. 

4. How schools help children in poverty overcome psychological challenges?

• Providing access to free meals, supplies, and counseling services. 
• Creating inclusive environments that reduce stigma. 
• Offering extracurricular activities that promote social interaction and self-confidence. 
• Training teachers to recognize and address the unique needs students from low-income backgrounds. 

5. What are some early signs of psychological distress in children living in poverty?

• Difficulty concentrating or learning in school. 
• Withdrawal from social interactions. 
• Increased irritability or aggression.
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. 
• Persistent sadness or hopelessness. 

6. How does parental stress in poverty affect children? 

Parental stress often spills over into the home environment, leading to less attentive caregiving, increased conflicts, and emotional unavailability. This instability can disrupt children’s emotional security and contribute to anxiety, depression, or behavioral problems. 

7. What interventions can help mitigate the psychological effects of poverty?

• Early childhood education programs. 
• Community support services like mentoring and after-school activities.
• Access to affordable mental health care. 
• Family support initiatives, such as parenting classes and financial assistance.