A longitudinal study on the association between financial scarcity and feelings of societal exclusion

• We studied the relation between financial scarcity and societal exclusion over time. • We present longitudinal data from a probability sample of the Dutch population. • Data were analyzed using Cross-Lagged Panel Models. • Financial scarcity related to increased feelings of societal exclusion over time. • Vice versa, societal exclusion related to increased financial scarcity over time. We tested the association between financial scarcity (i.e., the experience of lacking needed monetary resources) and feelings of societal exclusion using longitudinal data from a large probability sample of the Dutch population. We report preregistered analyses of two time points (almost two years apart) and exploratory robustness checks of seven time points (spanning four years). As hypothesized, results of a Cross-Lagged Panel Model indicated that financial scarcity was associated with increased feelings of societal exclusion over time and vice versa, feelings of societal exclusion were associated with increased financial scarcity over time. In addition, results showed that financial scarcity was associated with perceived lack of social participation, perceived stigmatization, and weaker social networks. These factors did not mediate the association between financial scarcity and feelings of societal exclusion. We discuss the potential implications of these findings for the temporal dynamics of financial scarcity and feelings of societal exclusion.