By Kayla Bickham

Loss of basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter are not the only contributing factors to poverty. Those in poverty can experience mental disadvantages as well. Although money can contribute to loss of food or clothing, it does not do much when it comes to social or psychological factors.

 

According to the American Economic Review in 2016, everyone relies on a fundamental set of functions in both their economic and non-economic lives. Poverty is what keeps some from achieving their full potential in these areas which can result in malnutrition,

alcohol consumption, or even sleep deprivation. They

suggest that these factors can greatly alter judgements,

preferences and decision-making and ultimately overall

productivity. Poverty is not limited to physical, external or

material components, but psychological ones as well.

 

Arthur Dobrin, professor at Hofstra University and

published author, has identified a direct relationship

between stress and poverty. In his article for Psychology

Today, he links the unhealthy lifestyle that poverty

produces to chronic stress and even post-traumatic stress

disorder.

 

NBC News reported in 2018 that 56 percent of American

adults do not receive treatment for their mental illnesses.

Mental Health America found that the rate of youth with

Major Depressive Episode (MDE) increased from 11.93 to

12.63 percent. MDE is a period characterized by low mood

and other depression symptoms that lasts for two weeks

or more. According to the Anxiety and Depression

Association of America, approximately 16.1 million adults

in the United States experienced at least one major

depressive episode in 2015.

 

Dr. Michele Boberg wonders how many of those adults

were living below that poverty line of that year. As a

Licensed Psychologist at Associates in Behavioral

Counseling located in Muncie, Indiana, she finds it hard

to believe that those who struggle with food insecurity

and providing for their families would find it a necessity

to seek counsel. Her extensive experience in areas of

depression, trauma and abuse recovery and other personal

issues has allowed her to see a large amount of patients over the years. Although she has met with a diverse group of people, she does not believe she has met with many Muncie residents that truly reap the disadvantages of poverty.

 

To understand poverty in its entirety, Boberg references a book by Oscar Lewis called “The Culture of Poverty.” He looks at poverty as a culture that is defined by adaptation and reaction. Lewis says, “It represents an effort to cope with feelings of hopelessness and despair which develop from the realization of the improbability of achieving success in terms of the values and goals of the larger society.” He argues that poverty is much more than the condition in which they live in. It involves their emotional well being, state of mind and how they see themselves fitting into the rest of society.

 

                                                                                                                                           This isn’t an experience solely                                                                                                                                             attributed to adults. The                                                                                                                                                       Psychology Bulletin reported                                                                                                                                               in 2015 that even preschool-                                                                                                                                                 aged children have the                                                                                                                                                           cognitive abilities to recognize                                                                                                                                             forms of isolation. According                                                                                                                                               to the article Cognitive aspects                                                                                                                                             of young children’s                                                                                                                                                                 experience of economic                                                                                                                                                         disadvantage, children pick                                                                                                                                                 up on social inequality and                                                                                                                                                   are aware of stereotypes                                                                                                                                                       related to their social class                                                                                                                                                   because they are able to                                                                                                                                                       connect these concepts to                                                                                                                                                     their own living situations                                                                                                                                                   and experiences.

                                                                                                                                           Although Boberg is unsure if                                                                                                                                               people of Muncie are                                                                                                                                                             assessing their mental health as much as they should, the city has proven that it will continue to put in effort to help those in need in other ways. Boberg says organizations such as the YWCA and Wayside Mission are geared towards women in need of food and shelter, but Muncie has resources ranging from financial assistance to career planning.