Impacts of poverty stigma on negative affect among welfare recipients: path analysis on Mainland China and Hong Kong SAR

Using two random sampling surveys from Mainland China and Hong Kong SAR, this study aims to compare the poverty stigma, perceived living standards and subjective well-being of welfare and non-welfare recipients in the two regions. The results show that means-tested welfare recipients generally experience high levels of stigma and negative affect. Path analysis models reveal that the direct impact of such stigma on negative affect is significant in Mainland China. However, in Hong Kong SAR, the impact of stigma on negative affect is indirect, through social interaction and self-rated health.