Conclusion Part IV

Abstract

The objective of Part IV was to respond to three overarching questions: firstly, we sought to determine whether and how the two population groups defined as vulnerable by an objective monetary poverty line and by the self-assessed difficulties of making ends meet are significantly different from each other, with regard to socio-demographic characteristics, economic resources and in terms of individual characteristics that are expected to increase the need for financial resources. Our main hypothesis was that the Self-Assessed Measure of economic vulnerability provides a more accurate proxy for the overall financial situation than the income-based Objective Measure. Secondly, we wanted to examine if an increase in ‘Financial Needs and Expectations’ as operationalized by self-assessed health status and items of social participation mediates the effect of Economic Resources on the Self-Assessed Measure. Thirdly, the Vulnerability Typology was examined as a way of combining the insights from both, self-assessed and objective measures.