Is Indigenous poverty different from other poverty?

Hunter, Boyd

doi:10.22459/caepr32.11.2012.10

Cited by 9 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…This finding is somewhat consistent with data from a study of 963 Indigenous people from a socio-economically disadvantaged coastal region in Australia, in which socio-demographic characteristics were largely non-significant in explaining psychological distress as measured by the K10 [49]. This suggests that risk factors such as racism, with common and/or cross-cutting effects across the socioeconomic spectrum for Indigenous Australians [13,32,33,50], may contribute to psychological distress. In the 2004-05 NATSIHS, those who reported they had been treated badly because they were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander were more likely to have high or very high psychological distress (K5 ≥ 12) than those who said they had not been treated badly (39.5% versus 25.0%) [4].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Socio-demographic factors and psychological distress in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian adults aged 18-64 years: analysis of national survey data

Cunningham

Paradies

2012

BMC Public Health

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BackgroundIndigenous Australians are known to be at greater risk of morbidity and mortality from mental health related conditions, but most available data relate to the use of mental health services, and little is known about other aspects of social and emotional wellbeing. Using the first available nationally representative data, we examined the prevalence and patterning of psychological distress among Indigenous Australian adults and compared these with corresponding data from the non-Indigenous population.MethodsThe analysis used weighted data on psychological distress, as measured by a modified Kessler Psychological Distress score (K5), and a range of socio-demographic measures for 5,417 Indigenous and 15,432 non-Indigenous adults aged 18-64 years from two nationally representative surveys. Very high psychological distress (VHPD) was defined as a K5 score ≥ 15 (possible range = 5-25).ResultsIndigenous adults were about three times more likely than non-Indigenous adults to be classified with VHPD: 14.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 12.9-16.0%) versus 5.5% (95% CI 5.0-5.9%). After adjusting for age, most socio-demographic variables were significantly associated with VHPD in both populations, although the relative odds were generally larger among non-Indigenous people. Indigenous people in remote areas had a lower prevalence of VHPD than their non-remote counterparts, and only marital status, main language, and food insecurity were significantly associated with VHPD in remote areas.ConclusionsHigher absolute levels of VHPD combined with smaller socio-demographic gradients in the Indigenous population suggest the importance of risk factors such as interpersonal racism, marginalization and dispossession, chronic stress and exposure to violence that are experienced by Indigenous Australians with common and/or cross-cutting effects across the socioeconomic spectrum. The lower prevalence of VHPD and lack of association with many socio-demographic variables in remote areas suggests either that the instrument may be less valid for Indigenous people living in remote areas or that living in an Indigenous majority environment (such as exists in most remote communities) may mitigate the risk of psychological distress to some degree.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Socio-demographic factors and psychological distress in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian adults aged 18-64 years: analysis of national survey data

Cunningham

Paradies

2012

BMC Public Health

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“…Hunter () argues that Indigenous‐specific equivalence scales are required to take into account the distinct costs associated with running Indigenous households and associated FS. In this paper we estimate models of the determinants of FS and use them to estimate equivalence scales which are based upon equating the propensity to experience FS across households of different sizes and different types.…”

Section: Conclusion and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are many conceptual complexities underlying Indigenous financial stress or poverty that are not adequately captured in mainstream poverty analysis (Altman & Hunter, ; Hunter, ). A credible analysis of either phenomenon must acknowledge both the diversity of Indigenous circumstances and how distinct value systems drive preferences and behaviours that shape the ability of policy to address Indigenous disadvantage.…”

Section: Conclusion and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Financial Stress and Indigenous Australians

2018

Self Cite

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We examine the high levels of financial stress among Indigenous populations in Australia. We estimate separate models for the determinants of financial stress for Indigenous and non‐Indigenous households and show the importance of separately considering Indigenous disadvantage. We use these models to build equivalence scales for both groups. We find evidence consistent with financial stress being exacerbated by demand sharing (‘humbugging’). The evidence also suggests that financial stress is reduced by engagement in traditional hunting and gathering activities.

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“…The discussion so far has focused entirely on quantitative studies of poverty that examine its overall level and extent within a national context. There have been relatively few studies of poverty among specific vulnerable groups (even among Indigenous Australians, aside from work undertaken by Hunter and others at the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research: see Altman & Hunter 1998;Hunter 2012). With the exception of recent work by NATSEM on the locational profile of poverty and social exclusion using census data (see Phillips et al 2013), there has been relatively little research into the role of location as a poverty risk factor, although lack of appropriate survey data -which often suppresses detailed information about location to protect respondent confidentiality -has been a contributing factor.…”

Section: Better Data More Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Closing the gap: the growing divide between poverty research and policy in Australia

Saunders¹

2015

Aust J Social Issues

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This paper reviews major developments in Australian poverty research in the 50 years since the Melbourne poverty study established the Henderson measurement framework. It focuses on the limitations of the dominant, but narrow income (poverty line) approach used in Australia, contrasts it with the deprivation approach pioneered and refined in the United Kingdom, and shows how this provides more compelling evidence that poverty exists. Against the background of recent developments in international poverty research, the paper identifies existing gaps in Australia, and explores what needs to be done to address this situation. It then draws on international experience to examine how anti-poverty policy has evolved, focusing on the role of poverty targets in producing better data and promoting debate between policy makers, researchers and community sector practitioners about developing better measures. Australia lags behind these developments: a new approach is needed that engages researchers, policy makers, and other key stakeholders in positive dialogue aimed at setting a new framework for poverty measurement and an achievable anti-poverty policy agenda.

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Is Indigenous poverty different from other poverty?

Cited by 9 publications

References 5 publications

Socio-demographic factors and psychological distress in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian adults aged 18-64 years: analysis of national survey data

Socio-demographic factors and psychological distress in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian adults aged 18-64 years: analysis of national survey data

Financial Stress and Indigenous Australians

Closing the gap: the growing divide between poverty research and policy in Australia

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