Samenvatting

This research addresses the question whether there is social inequality in the impact of justiciable problems, and whether this unequal impact is itself a factor in the emergence of new problems. The study examines whether citizens in vulnerable circumstances are more likely to experience negative side effects – such as stress, sleep and health issues – of a justiciable problem than those in less vulnerable circumstances. And in turn whether these negative side effects increase the chance of new justiciable problems.Using data from a nationwide survey of 2,575 Dutch citizens who experienced at least one justiciable problem over the period 2014-2019, we conclude, among other things, that low income groups, benefit recipients and single adult households are more likely to experience negative health effects, and these health effects in turn increase the chance of a new justiciable problem. Next to this indirect effect, income also has a direct effect: low-income groups are more likely to experience new justiciable problems than high-income groups, irrespective of other relevant characteristics.