Question

Define what is meant by socioeconomic status (SES). What is its relationship regarding health - describe the impact it seems to have on a person’s health. What are the proposed reasons for this observed relationship and the overall relationship of these two variables? How has this was empirically investigated? Could this relationship influence choices in various cultures? Why or why not? Please be specific.

Answer 1

• Socioeconomic status (SES) is a composite measure of an individual’s economic and sociological standing. It is a complex assessment measured in a variety of ways that account for a person’s work experience and economic and social position in relation to others, based on income, education, and occupation. Socioeconomic status has been a powerful determinant of health; as a general rule, wealthy people tend to be in better health than people of poorer status
• Socioeconomic status (SES) encompasses not just income but also educational attainment, financial security, and subjective perceptions of social status and social class. Socioeconomic status can encompass quality of life attributes as well as the opportunities and privileges afforded to people within society. Poverty, specifically, is not a single factor but rather is characterized by multiple physical and psychosocial stressors. Further, SES is a consistent and reliable predictor of a vast array of outcomes across the life span, including physical and psychological health.
• Low SES and its correlates, such as lower educational achievement, poverty and poor health, ultimately affect our society. Inequities in health distribution, resource distribution, and quality of life are increasing in the United States and globally.
• Increasing evidence supports the link between lower SES and learning disabilities or other negative psychological outcomes that affect academic achievement.
• Low SES and exposure to adversity are linked to decreased educational success. Such toxic stress in early childhood leads to lasting impacts on learning, behavior, and health.
• Children from lower SES households are about twice as likely as those from high-SES households to display learning-related behavior problems. A mother’s SES is also related to her child’s inattention, disinterest, and lack of cooperation in school.
• Perception of family economic stress and personal financial constraints affected emotional distress/depression in students and their academic outcomes.
• The psychological impact of a low SES, whether expressed by shame or hostility, leads to chronic stress.The researchers concluded that lower income levels equated to poorer food quality and less consumption of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.
• Due to time limit,only some questions could be answered,the remaining can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation