What the study found
The study found that, in both the United States and Canada, financially struggling workers reported higher powerlessness when they saw the economy as good. This pattern supported the meritocratic attribution hypothesis, meaning the authors linked the effect to how people interpret economic conditions in relation to personal financial strain.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that perceptions of the wider economy can shape how financial strain relates to powerlessness. They suggest that this matters because a good economy, rather than easing distress for people under financial strain, was associated with stronger feelings of powerlessness in their data.
What the researchers tested
The researchers tested four hypotheses about how perceptions of the economy moderate the link between financial strain and powerlessness. They used two nationally representative samples of workers collected in late 2023: 2,466 Americans and 2,501 Canadians.
What worked and what didn't
The meritocratic attribution hypothesis was supported in both countries. Financially struggling respondents reported higher powerlessness when they perceived the economy as good than when they perceived it as poor or fair. The authors did not find evidence for the idea that perceiving a poor economy weakens the association between financial strain and powerlessness compared with perceiving a fair economy.
What to keep in mind
The summary does not describe additional limitations beyond the fact that the study is based on two worker samples from late 2023. It also does not provide details on measurement procedures or other caveats.
Key points
- The study analyzed nationally representative samples of workers in the United States and Canada.
- Financial strain was more strongly linked to powerlessness among people who perceived the economy as good.
- The meritocratic attribution hypothesis was supported in both countries.
- The study did not find evidence that perceiving a poor economy reduced the strain-powerlessness link relative to a fair economy.
- Four hypotheses about economy perceptions and powerlessness were tested.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Good economy perceptions intensify powerlessness among financially strained workers
- Authors:
- Jiasheng Liang, Alexander Wilson, Scott Schieman
- Institutions:
- University of Toronto, University of Toronto, Yale University
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-05
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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