A new study has found that people with lower incomes are more likely to experience physical pain than their wealthier counterparts, regardless of whether they live in a wealthy or poorer country. The research, which analyzed data from the World Gallup Poll between 2009 and 2018, found that a person’s income level in comparison to their peers is linked to the frequency of physical pain they experience. The lower the income level, the higher the likelihood of experiencing pain. This is the first study to demonstrate such a connection, according to Dr. Lucía Macchia of City, University of London.
The study, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, analyzed responses from around 1.3 million adult participants from 146 countries. Participants were asked about their monthly household income before taxes, which was then divided by the number of people in the household to determine their personal income. They were also asked whether they had experienced physical pain the day before the survey. Linear regression models were created based on this data and additional information. The study found that the perception of relative deprivation or lack of social mobility could be a key factor in the pain experienced by people with lower incomes.
The study’s findings suggest that psychological factors related to social comparison could influence people’s physical pain. Negative emotions associated with assessing one’s income position in comparison to others could be a crucial factor in pain perception. The study highlights the need for further research into the relationship between income and physical pain, as well as the psychological factors that contribute to this connection.
