TY - JOUR
T1 - Empowering the poor: A field study of the social psychological consequences of receiving autonomy or dependency aid in Panama
AU - Alvarez, Katherina
AU - van Leeuwen, Esther
AU - Montenegro-Montenegro, Esteban
AU - van Vugt, Mark
PY - 2018/4
Y1 - 2018/4
N2 - This field study investigated the consequences of receiving poverty aid through conditional transfer programmes in the form of autonomy-oriented help (i.e., cash) or dependency-oriented help (i.e., vouchers) in impoverished rural communities in Panama. The empowering effects of autonomy- (vs. dependency-) help have so far only been studied in laboratory settings, or in settings where help could easily be refused. Little is known about the reactions of people who rely on help for extended periods of time. This study provides insights into how aid recipients are influenced by the type of aid they receive. Results showed that, as expected, recipients of cash reported more autonomy, empowerment, and life improvements than recipients of vouchers. Training, another type of autonomy-oriented help, was positively related to empowerment, personal, and family change beliefs. These findings illustrate the benefits of autonomy-oriented help programmes in empowering people from extremely poor communities around the world, who rely on aid for extended periods of time.
AB - This field study investigated the consequences of receiving poverty aid through conditional transfer programmes in the form of autonomy-oriented help (i.e., cash) or dependency-oriented help (i.e., vouchers) in impoverished rural communities in Panama. The empowering effects of autonomy- (vs. dependency-) help have so far only been studied in laboratory settings, or in settings where help could easily be refused. Little is known about the reactions of people who rely on help for extended periods of time. This study provides insights into how aid recipients are influenced by the type of aid they receive. Results showed that, as expected, recipients of cash reported more autonomy, empowerment, and life improvements than recipients of vouchers. Training, another type of autonomy-oriented help, was positively related to empowerment, personal, and family change beliefs. These findings illustrate the benefits of autonomy-oriented help programmes in empowering people from extremely poor communities around the world, who rely on aid for extended periods of time.
KW - autonomy-oriented help
KW - change beliefs
KW - dependency-oriented help
KW - empowerment
KW - extreme poverty
KW - Panama
KW - receiving help
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U2 - 10.1111/bjso.12234
DO - 10.1111/bjso.12234
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85044761676
VL - 57
SP - 327
EP - 345
JO - British Journal of Social Psychology
JF - British Journal of Social Psychology
SN - 0144-6665
IS - 2
ER -