Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Anne Hacker

Abstract

Demographics are changing for the young elderly population in America, and poverty is a growing concern among this population. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between young elderly demographics and income level, and between government programs and economic status. Rawls's theory of justice was useful to examine the relationship between predictor variables and the outcome variable. Secondary data came from the U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey from March 2016. The results of multiple and logistic regressions indicated no statistically significant linear correlation. There was no statistical linear correlation between income level and region, race, education level, occupation status, sex, marital status, or employment status. Moreover, there was no statistically significant linear correlation between income level and medical equipment expenditures, health insurance payments, medical out of pocket expenses, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) status, and housing. Finally, the independent variables social security, supplemental security income (SSI), Medicare, Medicaid, public housing, and SNAP were not statistically significant in predicting the dependent variable of economic status. Implications for positive social change are to provide information to policymakers and researchers about the changing needs and demographics of the young elderly so that they can develop policies and programs that focus on their needs. Although the findings of this study revealed no new information to researchers or governmental policymakers, the work taken as a whole, highlights the need for continued study and policy consideration related to this generation of the American population.

Download

Included in

Public Policy Commons

Share

 
COinS