Perceived social support and opinions on poverty: is it chronic or transient?

This article explores the connection between the perceptual component of social support and beliefs regarding the stability of poverty conditions. Specifically, it examines how an individual’s perception of having support—stemming from beliefs about the availability of family or friends' resources or their moral support—affects their view of poverty as either a chronic or transient state. Using a Chi-square test for bivariate analysis, the study analyzes responses from a sample of 992 individuals residing in Lazio, an Italian region. Participants completed a multidimensional semi-structured questionnaire addressing their socio-economic status and beliefs about poverty. The findings indicate a significant relationship between the sense of security provided by a personal support network and beliefs about poverty: Individuals who feel more supported tend to view poverty as a more permanent condition. Conversely, those who perceive a strong moral support or believe they have access to family or friends’ resources are more likely to consider poverty as a condition from which one can escape.