The clustering of disadvantage in different life dimensions across ethnic groups: A network analysis of indicators of precariousness in the HELIUS study

Background

People living in precariousness experience a high level of insecurity and instability in different life dimensions. The experience of precariousness is influenced by ethnic origin. We examine the multi-dimensional nature of precariousness incorporating five life dimensions and six ethnic origin groups to identify differences in the interrelatedness and important aspects of precariousness across groups.

Methods

We used data of 22,092 participants of Dutch, South-Asian Surinamese, African Surinamese, Ghanaian, Turkish, and Moroccan ethnic origin of the HELIUS (HEalthy LIfe in an Urban Setting) study, previously enriched with neighborhood data of the Geoscience and Health Cohort Consortium (GECCO). We applied Ising network models to examine the associations between 13 different precariousness indicators (e.g., marginal work or unemployment, income inadequacy, low social support satisfaction) in five different life dimensions (i.e., employment, financial, housing, cultural, and social), stratified by ethnic origin. Associations were examined using logistic regressions adjusted for the other precariousness indicators.

Results

Associations between the precariousness indicators were relatively similar across the various groups of non-Dutch ethnic origin. Associations between indicators were generally weaker among the group of Dutch ethnic origin, specifically associations between the neighborhood variables. For nearly all groups, the core of the model was formed by the employment, cultural, and specifically the financial dimension. Among those of non-Dutch ethnic origin, health literacy and discrimination were also important.

Conclusions

Financial insecurity is an important aspect of precariousness, relating to many different precariousness experiences. For those of non-Dutch ethnic origin, health literacy and discrimination are also important.