The Cascade of Exclusion: A Mixed-Methods Study of Welfare Inequity and Its Foundational Determinants Among Thailand’s Homeless Population
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Achieving sustainable development (SD) and enhancing urban quality of life are undermined by the systemic exclusion of marginalized groups. Despite the global expansion of welfare systems, a welfare paradox persists, wherein universal policies often reinforce exclusion. This study investigates this paradox through a mixed-methods analysis of welfare inequity among homeless individuals in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Combining a quantitative survey (n = 202) with in-depth interviews of homeless persons and state officials, we model the structural nature of this exclusion. Results reveal systemic disparities by gender, age, and displacement causes. Critically, a predictive model identifies housing and education access as foundational determinants, collectively explaining 89.9% of the variance in economic inclusion (R2 = 0.899, p < 0.001). Qualitative data elucidate the mechanisms behind these statistics, highlighting how the lack of official documentation and institutional stigma sever access to the broader welfare system. We conceptualize these interdependencies as a foundational capability cascade, where deficits in core domains trigger compounding exclusion. By integrating statistical modeling with narrative evidence, this research provides a robust framework for social exclusion and offers an evidence-based roadmap for designing equity-focused policy reforms that are essential for inclusive urban sustainability.
Source: Sustainability
DOI: 10.3390/su172410929
Authors: Warisara Kitkiwan, Chitralada Chaiya
Institution: Mahasarakham University
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
Funder: Mahasarakham University
OpenAlex ID: W4417106785