Abstract: In an era marked by uncertainty in global economic development, individuals’ economic situations and their psychological states demonstrate increasingly complex and dynamic associations. Prior research has shown that adverse economic conditions can negatively affect individuals across multiple domains—including physical and mental health, interpersonal relationships, cognitive decision-making, and performance—trapping them in a vicious cycle of “current economic hardship → negative psychological impact → future economic hardship.” However, psychological research also holds considerable potential to offer interventions for those in disadvantaged economic situations, helping them attain better psychological well-being and life outcomes. Therefore, this special issue seeks both to uncover and elucidate the mechanisms through which economic circumstances influence individual psychology, and to explore, from a social governance perspective, potential interventions capable of disrupting this cycle. Ultimately, it aims to provide psychology-informed insights rooted in the Chinese context, offering theoretical guidance for fostering the positive development of economically disadvantaged individuals and for building a more equitable social environment.

Key words: economic situation, socioeconomic status, psychological intervention, social governance