Evans and Kim

CT

-Correlational research, other factors may affect stress (diet/social).

Aim

Argues poverty exposes people to risk factors leading to a higher vulnerability to stress and therefore poor health.

Results

Higher number of years living in poverty = greater health issues. Moreover children living in poverty for a long time had high overnight levels of cortisol and showed early signs of poor cardiovascular health. However, argument about risk factors cannot account that in the poorest societies on the planet we still see the trend that those on top of the hierarchy have better health than those below. In the wealthiest countries on earth there has been no link found between the wealth of a country and the health of its people, therefore, living in a wealthy country does not mean you will be less likely to develop health problems.

Procedure

Vulnerability theory tested by evaluating health of 207 thirteen year olds living in poverty in the US. Qualitative data was gathered regarding exposure to risk factors such as domestic violence, crime in the area, and poor quality housing.