Poverty Among Puerto Ricans in the United States

1997

Maria Canabal

Document Id: WP-32

The purpose of this study was to identify the major influences of poverty or financial well-being among Puerto Ricans in the United States. Selected variables that measure personal/ psychological influences, family influences, and socioeconomic influences were included in a multivariate analysis. The dependent variable was a computed poverty index to measure economic well-being. The data for this study come from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1982-84 (HHANES). The Puerto Rican sample used for the analyses consists of 1,684 observations from the New York City area, including parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. The variables that had the strongest impact on the poverty index were: health, locus of control, acculturation, family structure, public assistance, employment status, and type of worker. Through multiple regression analyses, some determinants of Puerto Rican poverty were identified. The findings of this and previous quantitative and qualitative studies provide empirical evidence for public policy recommendations.

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