Search Results (40)

A partially ordered set (or a poset, for short) is a set endowed with a partial order relation, i.e., with a reflexive, anti-symmetric, and transitive binary relation. As mathematical objects, posets have been intensively studied in the last century, coming to play essential roles in pure mathematics, logic, and theoretical computer science. More recently, they have been increasingly employed in data analysis, multi-criteria decision-making, and social sciences, particularly for building synthetic indicators and extracting rankings from multidimensional systems of ordinal data. Posets naturally represent systems and phenomena where some elements can be compared and ordered, while others cannot be and are then incomparable. This makes them a powerful data structure to describe collections of units assessed against multidimensional variable systems, preserving the nuanced and multi-faceted nature of the underlying domains. Moreover, poset theory collects the proper mathematical tools to treat ordinal data, fully respecting their non-numerical nature, and to extract information out of order relations, providing the proper setting for the statistical analysis of multidimensional ordinal data. Currently, their use is expanding both to solve open methodological issues in ordinal data analysis and to address evaluation problems in socio-economic sciences, from multidimensional poverty, well-being, or quality-of-life assessment to the measurement of financial literacy, from the construction of knowledge spaces in mathematical psychology and education theory to the measurement of multidimensional ordinal inequality/polarization. Full article

Poverty is a multifaceted phenomenon impacting millions globally, defined by a deficiency in both material and immaterial resources, which consequently restricts access to satisfactory living conditions. Comprehensive poverty analysis can be accomplished through the application of mathematical and modeling techniques, which are useful in understanding and predicting poverty trends. These models, which often incorporate principles from economics, stochastic processes, and dynamic systems, enable the assessment of the factors influencing poverty and the effectiveness of public policies in alleviating it. This paper introduces a mathematical compartmental model to investigate poverty within a population ($\psi \left(t\right)$), considering the effects of immigration, crime, and incarceration. The model aims to elucidate the interconnections between these factors and their combined impact on poverty levels. We begin the study by ensuring the mathematical validity of the model by demonstrating the uniqueness of a positive solution. Next, it is shown that under specific conditions, the probability of poverty persistence approaches certainty. Conversely, conditions leading to an exponential reduction in poverty are identified. Additionally, the semigroup associated with our model is proven to possess the Feller property, and its distribution has a unique invariant measure. To confirm and validate these theoretical results, interesting numerical simulations are performed. Full article

Background: Child poverty is a critical issue that affects millions of children worldwide and represents a global issue. This article focuses on exploring the risk of child poverty and social exclusion across Europe, with Serbia being in a comparable position with respect to other countries with different levels of development. Methods: This is an epidemiological, retrospective, and descriptive study based on data on the national populations of the European countries within our research interest. The data analyzed in this study was taken from publicly available datasets from Eurostat. The indicators of interest were the ones considering the social inclusion of children in the time period between 2014 and 2023 for all European countries available in the datasets. Results: The indicator of the risk of poverty and social exclusion showed a decreasing trend in the majority of countries; but still, seven countries showed an increase during the observation period of one decade. The highest percentage was in Romania and the lowest in Slovenia. The indicator of the risk of poverty exhibited a significant difference in terms of gender (being mostly higher among females) in Bulgaria, Lithuania, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Montenegro, Albania, and Turkey. The indicator of children living in households with very low work intensity exhibited a significant difference in terms of gender (being mostly higher among males) in Bulgaria, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Albania. The indicator of severe social and material deprivation exhibited a significant difference in terms of gender (being mostly higher among females) in Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Albania, and Turkey. Serbia did not show a significant gender difference, but the male gender had higher values than the female for all indicators. Conclusions: Child poverty is a multifaceted issue that affects various aspects of children’s lives, including health, education, and social inclusion. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that includes social protection, access to quality services, and efforts to combat discrimination. Full article

This paper investigates the dynamics of energy poverty across EU Member States from 2015 to 2023, a period characterized by economic recovery, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a significant energy crisis. Utilizing Eurostat EU-SILC data, the study analyzes trends in four key indicators: the inability to keep homes adequately warm, arrears on utility bills, housing cost overburden rate, and the at-risk-of-poverty rate. Data processing and trend analysis were performed using R and RStudio, while a k-means cluster analysis, executed in Python via Visual Studio Code, identified and compared distinct country groupings based on their energy poverty profiles in 2015 and 2023. The findings reveal a general improvement in energy poverty indicators across the EU until 2019, followed by a marked deterioration, particularly in energy affordability metrics post-2021 due to the energy crisis. This impact was observed to be distinct from general income poverty trends. While significant geographical disparities persist, with Southern and Eastern European countries often more vulnerable, the analysis also points to notable improvements in several Central and Eastern European nations. The cluster analysis, which identified eight clusters in 2015 and seven in 2023, suggests a degree of partial convergence. Key shifts include Poland’s transition to a lower-risk cluster and Spain’s move to a higher-risk group, while Southern Europe generally remains highly susceptible. This research underscores the dynamic and multifaceted nature of energy poverty, highlighting the necessity for targeted, context-specific policies. Addressing energy poverty is crucial for enhancing household resilience and achieving truly comprehensive energy security throughout the EU, especially amid the ongoing energy transition and potential future socio-economic shocks. Full article

Background: Gun-related homicide remains a persistent public health crisis in the United States, with over 48,000 firearm-related deaths reported in 2022, including 19,651 homicides and 27,032 suicides. Despite frequent calls for tighter gun control, firearm access alone does not explain the complexity of violence. Objective: This commentary aims to unpack the socioeconomic, psychological, and biological drivers of gun-related homicide and propose integrative, evidence-based solutions that extend beyond legislative reform. Methods: We synthesized data from peer-reviewed literature, national crime and health databases (e.g., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Federal Bureau of Investigation), and international reports. We examined patterns related to poverty, trauma, male aggression, neurobiology, and firearm acquisition, as well as cross-national comparisons with countries like Switzerland and Mexico. Findings: Young males, particularly those aged 10–29, accounted for 50% of homicide offenders in 2022. African Americans experienced homicide rates of 23.1 per 100,000, ten times the rate among Whites. Up to 56% of incarcerated men report childhood physical trauma, and over 40% of those in prison exhibit symptoms of serious mental illness. While firearm legislation varies widely, analysis reveals that over 90% of crime guns are acquired illegally or through informal sources. International comparisons show that poverty and weak rule of law, more than gun laws alone, correlate with elevated homicide rates. Conclusions: Reducing gun violence sustainably requires a multifaceted approach. Authors advocate for investments in trauma-informed mental health care, focused deterrence programs, early childhood interventions, and improved enforcement against illegal gun trafficking. A public health strategy that integrates social reform with targeted regulation holds the greatest promise for long-term change. Full article

Background: China’s relocated for poverty alleviation policy has played a pivotal role in eradicating extreme poverty nationwide. However, adolescents relocating with their parents may face multifaceted challenges, including abrupt shifts in their living environments, the reconstruction of social capital, and the psychological turbulence inherent to adolescence. Objectives: We aimed to explore predictors of reducing depressive symptoms in relocated adolescents. We analyzed the associations between social capital, life satisfaction, and adolescent depression. Methods: This study investigated 631 adolescents aged 10–19 years from 24 relocation for poverty alleviation resettlement sites in Shanxi Province. Respondents completed basic demographic information and questionnaires on adolescent social capital, life satisfaction, and depressive symptoms. The mediating role of life satisfaction was assessed using PROCESS 3.4 analysis. Results: The mean social capital score of the adolescents was 31.96 ± 3.666, the mean life satisfaction score was 23.21 ± 6.282, the mean depression score was 4.03 ± 5.503, and the depression detection rate was 15.2%. We found that social capital was significantly positively correlated with life satisfaction (r = 0.363, p ˂ 0.05), both social capital and life satisfaction were negatively correlated with depressive symptoms (r = −0.362, p ˂ 0.05; r = −0.398, p ˂ 0.05), and life satisfaction partially mediated the association between social capital and depressive symptoms (mediating effect of 18.20%). Conclusions: Adolescents in communities relocated for poverty alleviation are overall satisfied with their lives, but some are experiencing some form of depression. Both social capital and life satisfaction are associated with lower depression levels, and those with higher life satisfaction are better able to cope with the changes in social capital associated with environmental changes after relocation, thus helping to reduce depressive symptoms. Full article

Over the years, high levels of corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa have diverted resources from social welfare, weakened institutional effectiveness, and deepened economic inequalities. This study explores the misery index’s effects on economic inequality and social welfare in 19 Sub-Saharan African countries, highlighting corruption’s role in amplifying these issues. The misery index, a composite measure of inflation and unemployment, indicates economic distress exacerbating poverty and inequality, disproportionately affecting lower-income populations. This research employs quantile regression and the System Generalised Method of Moments to analyse data from 2007 to 2022, revealing that corruption often undermines poverty reduction efforts, with economic growth and foreign direct investment showing limited effects without strong institutional frameworks. The findings emphasise the need for multifaceted policies targeting job creation, inflation control, and anti-corruption initiatives to foster inclusive growth and mitigate economic disparity. To address inequality, this study recommends that governance be strengthened, corruption curbed, and inflation controlled while expanding welfare programmes and promoting inclusive growth across Sub-Saharan Africa. Full article

Energy poverty has evolved into a topic of global concern affecting both developing and developed countries. Energy poverty deprives the potential of numerous women to participate in family, communal, and economic activities. While energy poverty is a commonly studied subject, the existing literature often overlooks its gender dimension, specifically the effects on women. This systematic review aims to fill the current research lacuna by shedding light on the multifaceted consequences faced by women due to energy poverty. To this end, numerous articles from Scopus and Web of Science are fully analysed. The findings demonstrate the impacts on multiple aspects of women’s lives, such as health, emotional well-being, income, increased workload, and the perpetuation of inequality. Though the challenges seem a bit different in the Global South and North from a boarder perspective, coherent policies that enhance women’s empowerment with economic opportunities could minimize the potential risk of energy poverty. The review underlines the urgency of integrating a gender perspective, emphasising the necessity of interdisciplinary methods that connect energy and gender studies differently in both the Global North and South. The finding also highlights the role of socio-economic conditions, cultural norms, and the division of labour in increasing women’s vulnerability. This review highlights the crucial significance of gender-inclusive approaches in understanding and tackling energy poverty. Full article

The paper explores the concept of energy poverty (EP) by examining its definition, dimensions, determinants, and impacts on households. The study underscores the necessity of comprehending the multifaceted subjective and objective nature of energy poverty, as evidenced by the proposal of a comprehensive tool for measuring energy poverty from a broad perspective. The concept of energy poverty comprises seven principal dimensions, namely, political, economic, health, infrastructure, social, energy transfer, and climate and environmental. Each of these dimensions operates as both a cause and a consequence of energy poverty, thereby creating a cyclical relationship between the various determinants. A significant aspect of the study is the utilization of objective and subjective indicators. These include measures of the relationship between expenditure and income, the technical condition of buildings, thermal comfort, debt, and initiatives taken to prevent this phenomenon at the household level. The concept posits a novel attribute of EP, namely, “transitional state”, which signifies that energy poverty can concurrently serve as a catalyst and a consequence of adverse socio-economic phenomena in certain instances affecting the overall quality of life. The recommendations encompass using a holistic method that considers not only the analysis of the energy poverty index but also detailed and subjective indicators. The proposed tool will enable a more effective formulation of public policy at the European Union level, providing a unified direction to research this phenomenon at multiple precision levels. Full article

This study investigates the multifaceted issue of energy poverty, focusing on its spatial and socioeconomic dimensions, with a particular emphasis on the case of Chile. Despite global initiatives like Sustainable Development Goal 7, which advocates for universal access to affordable and reliable energy, millions remain vulnerable to energy poverty. In Chile, this phenomenon is exacerbated by geographic and climatic variability, resulting in significant disparities in energy access, affordability, and efficiency. Using a multidimensional framework adapted from Bouzarovski and Petrova, we assessed energy poverty through factors including household income, fuel costs, energy infrastructure reliability, and regional climate needs. This analysis integrated composite indicators to map vulnerability at the regional level, highlighting high-risk areas primarily in the central and southern regions, where low incomes and dependency on biomass for heating amplified exposure occur. The findings reveal that approximately 4 million Chileans face a high risk of energy poverty, underscoring the need for regionally tailored policies that address both immediate economic constraints and structural energy inequalities. This research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of energy poverty in Chile and offers policy recommendations aimed at reducing socioeconomic disparities and achieving sustainable, equitable energy access. Full article

Poverty is the oldest social problem that ever existed and is difficult to reverse. It is multidimensional and unmeasurable. Thus, measuring by decomposing rural multidimensional poverty is critical. Most poverty studies are usually generic, exposed to large sampling errors, and intended for macroeconomic decisions. Thus, measuring poverty for a specific locality with various configurations (15) is critical for economic development. The paper combines predictive analytics and advanced econometrics to decompose poverty at the micro-level by utilizing the Community-Based Monitoring system at complete enumeration (L = 34, S = 4). Logistic Regression (78) Models with 19 Independent Variables and 12 Intervening Variables were fitted. Headcount Analysis (0.2138–0.9845), Poverty Gap (0.2228–0.0502), Severity statistics (0.0723–0.0168) and Watts Index (0.2724–0.0618) are scrutinized. Poverty levels vary by location; a significant fraction of the population (P_0i = 68.50%, P_0f = 55.80%) and households (P_0i = 63.70%, P_0f = 50.70%) live below the poverty line and food threshold. It has been revealed that poverty is extreme in Isarog (i = 0.7793), moderate in Poblacion (p = 0.4019), intense in Ranggas (r = 0.6542), and severe in Salog (s = 0.6353). Multidimensional variables (13VAR) significantly predict poverty outcomes (p-value = 0.0000, PseudoR2 = 0.75). Moreover, intervening variables have been impacting poverty across all locals. All models tested are significant across all sectors and correctly predicted by the model classifications (Estat = 73.29–74.12%). Poverty is multifaceted; thus, it requires different interventions. Finally, policy proposals (54) were outlined to alleviate poverty and promote local economic development. Full article

This paper explores the intersection of poverty and recognition theory, grounded in Axel Honneth’s framework, to offer a novel perspective on poverty as a multifaceted social phenomenon. It argues that poverty should be understood not only as a lack of material resources but also as a significant deficit in social recognition, encompassing respect and social esteem. By situating poverty within the institutionalized order of recognition, the paper highlights how poverty both stems from and contributes to a lack of recognition, leading to social exclusion, shame, and stigmatization. The theoretical approach is complemented by selected empirical studies that illustrate the lived experiences of poverty, emphasizing the emotional and psychological impacts that extend beyond material deprivation. While the paper advances the theoretical understanding of poverty, it also identifies gaps in the current research, particularly the need for more empirical studies to substantiate these claims. Future research could expand upon these insights through cross-cultural studies and empirical investigations that further explore the connection between recognition and poverty. This work lays the groundwork for a deeper exploration of poverty as a social phenomenon that transcends economic metrics, advocating for a more holistic approach to poverty research. Full article

The discussion of factors driving young people’s involvement in serious violence continues to be well documented across policy, news media, and academic research. The government response to riots taking place across the UK in 2011 set a precedent for an increasingly punitive discourse surrounding young people’s involvement in criminal lifestyles, as well as the Criminal Justice System’s response to the overall issue. In order to develop a greater understanding of the complex breadth of driving factors behind serious youth violence and their discoursal representation, this article presents findings of a multifaceted investigation through the interpretivist paradigm, merging macro-level policy with micro-level community insights. The article commences with an argumentative discourse analysis of a selection of Government and Youth Violence Commission policy documents before drawing on three semi-structured interviews with community-level practitioners in England working within policing and youth work organisations. The findings reveal a complex interplay of socio-environmental factors, poverty, domestic trauma, cultural dimensions, and street-based exploitation positioned alongside constructs of social exclusion and masculinity. The study uncovers a broad issue of systemic marginalisation and reduction in community resources, exacerbating conditions of social exclusion that create a greater propensity for involvement in serious youth violence. The findings support calls for the framing of serious youth violence as an issue of ‘public health’, encouraging deeper investigation into underlying socio-economic, cultural, and political conditions. Full article

Transportation asset management has historically overlooked equity considerations. However, recently, there has been a significant increase in concerns about this issue, leading to a range of research and practices aimed at achieving more equitable outcomes. Yet, addressing equity is challenging and time-consuming, given its complexity and multifaceted nature. Several factors can significantly impact the outcome of an analysis, including the definition of equity, the evaluation and quantification of its impacts, and the community classification. As a result, there can be a wide range of interpretations of what constitutes equity. Therefore, there is no single correct or incorrect approach for equity evaluation, and different perspectives, impacts, and analysis methods could be considered for this purpose. This study reviews previous research on how transportation agencies are integrating equity into transportation asset management, particularly pavement management systems. The primary objective is to investigate important equity factors for pavement management and propose a prototype framework that integrates economic, environmental, and social equity considerations into the decision-making process for pavement maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction projects. The proposed framework consists of two main steps: (1) defining objectives based on the three equity dimensions, and (2) analyzing key factors for identifying underserved areas through a case study approach. The case study analyzed pavement condition and sociodemographic data for California’s Bay Area. Statistical analysis and a machine learning method revealed that areas with higher poverty rates and worse air quality tend to have poorer pavement conditions, highlighting the need to consider these factors when defining underserved areas in Bay Area and promoting equity in pavement management decision-making. The proposed framework incorporates an optimization problem to simultaneously minimize disparities in pavement conditions between underserved and other areas, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from construction and traffic disruptions, and maximize overall network pavement condition subject to budget constraints. By incorporating all three equity aspects into a quantitative decision-support framework with specific objectives, this study proposes a novel approach for transportation agencies to promote sustainable and equitable asset management practices. Full article

Poverty, particularly in developing regions, is a complex, multifaceted issue deeply embedded in various interrelated factors. It extends beyond mere financial insufficiency, encompassing limited access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and overall living standards. This study examines both the unidimensional and multidimensional aspects of rural poverty in Suri Sadar Sub-Division, located in Eastern India. For the unidimensional aspect, this study employs the poverty headcount ratio and the Poverty Gap Index to gauge the incidence and intensity of poverty. In contrast, the multidimensional approach utilized three dimensions and 12 indicators to assess the incidence, severity, and multidimensional poverty index utilizing the Alkire–Foster (AF) methodology. The unidimensional analysis, focusing on income and consumption, highlights significant economic disparities, particularly in the western Community Development Blocks, namely, Khoyrasole, Md. Bazar, and Rajnagar. The highest levels of multidimensional poverty are generally consistent with the unidimensional findings, particularly in the western blocks. These results underscore the need for comprehensive poverty reduction strategies that address both economic and broader aspects of poverty. In areas like the western blocks, where both income-based and multidimensional poverty rates are high, strategies should integrate economic development, improved healthcare access, enhanced educational quality, and living standards improvement. Therefore, this study serves not only as an academic endeavor but also as a vital tool for informed policymaking in poverty alleviation, providing planners, administrative officials, and researchers with essential insights to develop effective, localized, and sustainable poverty reduction strategies. Full article