On social and psychological consequences of prolonged poverty–A longitudinal narrative study from Finland

Abstract

By means of qualitative longitudinal material, this article explores meaningfulness during persistent monetary poverty through an integrative framework, which builds upon conceptualisations of meaning in life (coherence, significance, and purpose) and modes of being (labour, work, action). The material consists of 36 autobiographical accounts and their follow-up accounts from 2006 and 2012. The analysis reveals that in the developed welfare state of Finland, prolonged monetary poverty is connected with the propensity for incoherence and a feeling of insignificance, particularly if life is governed by a vicious cycle of scarcity. Prolonged poverty 1) turns aspirations from long-term to short-term goals and frames life as something characterised by negative anticipation and a circular sense of time. Life primarily takes place in private space. It also 2) weakens the sense of belonging and 3) reduces public participation. These are the domains where the meaning in life is constructed, deconstructed, and reconstructed. In a developed welfare state, the comprehensive and manageable social security scheme maintains coherence, yet universal social policy actions that enable participation in public activities nourish a sense of significance.

Sense of belonging among people outside of working life in Finland

“…This enhances trust between people as well as between people and social institutions. Isola et al (2021) note that prolonged poverty restricts participation in public activities where recognition would be achieved. The findings of this study demonstrate how experiences of belonging could be strengthened, enhancing affects like being needed, accepted and capable.…”

“…A previous study showed that being prepared for work, believing in the future, longing for independence and freedom, self-reflection and a sense of connectedness improved agency among young unemployed men in the 1980s (Hammarstr€ om et al, 2015). However, low-income and prolonged poverty may inhibit the sense of belonging (Isola et al, 2021;Stewart et al, 2009). There is a strong connection between lack of activity and social isolation (Allardt, 1976, p. 48).…”

“…, 2015). However, low-income and prolonged poverty may inhibit the sense of belonging (Isola et al. , 2021; Stewart et al.…”

Constructing Narrative Identity and Capabilities of Finnish Reform School Adolescents

“…In the analysis section we describe, how we examined both capability construction and narrative identity construction in order to find out how former RS adolescents' make meaning of their life. We investigated capability construction by identifying the needs for participation, understanding, belonging, and meaningfulness as conversion factors, in line with previous comparable studies (Isola et al, 2020(Isola et al, , 2021Leemann et al, 2021). Moreover, we explored the construction of narrative identity by using life-story constructs created by McAdams and McLean (2013).…”

“…The experienced disparity of participation, incoherence, and senses of non-belonging and meaninglessness prevent capabilities from emerging and further developing. If an individual considers something impossible, they might not put any effort into pursuing it at all (Isola et al, 2021;Leemann et al, 2021). The other way around, their satisfaction may positively modify beliefs about possibilities, allowing then capabilities to emerging.…”