Material Hardship and the Living Arrangements of Older Americans

Heflin, Colleen; Patnaik, Hannah

doi:10.1007/s10834-022-09838-z

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 64 publications

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“…Crucially, cross-sectional studies neither provide analytical leverage to identify factors associated with persistent energy insecurity nor do they account for temporal factors that are correlated with energy insecurity, such as seasonality and its accompanying variations in temperature, policy changes, and local-level economic conditions. Other work examines longitudinal datasets, such as the Women's Employment Study [36] and the Survey of Income and Program Participation [37,38], to examine utility hardship, but research to date has yet to both employ a national-level, panel dataset and multiple dimensions of energy insecurity distinctly from other essential expenses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The persistence of household energy insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic

Konisky

Carley

Graff

et al. 2022

Environ. Res. Lett.

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This study analyzes household energy insecurity in the United States during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous research is limited by mostly cross-sectional research designs that do not allow scholars to study the persistency of this specific type of material hardship. We fill this gap by analyzing data from an original, nationally-representative, panel survey of low-income households. We find high levels of energy insecurity during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the initial months when the economic dislocation was at its height, and that many low-income households experienced it on multiple occasions during this period. We also identify disparities: households with people of color, very low-income, children aged five years and younger, with someone who relies on an electronic medical device, and those living in deficient housing conditions were more likely to experience energy insecurity. Households with these characteristics were also more likely to suffer from energy insecurity on a persistent basis through the first year of the pandemic.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The persistence of household energy insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic

Konisky

Carley

Graff

et al. 2022

Environ. Res. Lett.

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Gender differences in old-age poverty in 14 EU countries: exploring the role of household structure

Ahonen,

Kuivalainen

2024

Int Rev Econ

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The risk of poverty among older people varies widely across countries and between men and women. This is usually explained by reference to institutional differences in pension systems or differences in employment histories. However, many other factors also come into play. In this paper we argue that, to avoid biased conclusions, it is necessary to take into account the role of household structure. This study of 14 European Union (EU) countries investigates the impact of household structure on gender differences in old-age poverty risk. The empirical examination is based on European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC). The findings show that older women’s high poverty risk is strongly related to the financial vulnerability of single-person households and the higher prevalence of female than male single-person households. In addition, gender differences in poverty risk can be attributed to gender differences in household structure. It matters whether the older person lives with another older person or an employed/unemployed person and whether there are minor children in the household. Country differences in the gender poverty gap are linked to country differences in the household age structure and the poverty risks of different types of households.

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Housing Hardship Among Older Adults Living Alone: The Protective Roles of Aging and Housing Policies

Park

2024

J Appl Gerontol

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This study investigates the association between living arrangements and housing hardship among older adults across 21 high-income countries. Using data from the Gallup World Poll (2016–2020) and OECD databases, we employ multilevel regression models that can assess how individual- and country-level factors, including public spending on pensions and housing policies such as social housing stock and rent control, moderate these associations. Older adults living alone experience significantly higher rates of housing hardship compared to their counterparts, even after adjusting for demographic and economic factors. Public spending on old age pensions attenuates housing hardship for older adults living alone. While public spending on housing shows limited effectiveness, social housing availability and rent control emerge as protective measures, reducing housing hardship among older adults living alone by providing stable and affordable housing options. This study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to support independent living.

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Material Hardship and the Living Arrangements of Older Americans

Cited by 4 publications

References 64 publications

The persistence of household energy insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic

The persistence of household energy insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic

Gender differences in old-age poverty in 14 EU countries: exploring the role of household structure

Housing Hardship Among Older Adults Living Alone: The Protective Roles of Aging and Housing Policies

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