Objective: This study delves into the correlation between individual income inequality as measured by the relative deprivation index and charitable giving, while also examining urban–rural heterogeneity. Additionally, it further explores the mechanisms by which online and offline forms of social interaction operate in this context.

Methods: Utilizing data from the 2014–2020 China Family Panel Studies, we employed several methodologies including Probit regression models, cross-model average marginal effects difference testing based on bootstrap method, instrumental variable method, and the Karlson–Holm–Breen (KHB) effect decomposition method.

Results: The findings reveal that individual income inequality measured by the relative deprivation index significantly reduces charitable giving among Chinese households. The inhibitory effect of individual income inequality on social charitable giving is higher than that on charitable giving directed toward friends or colleagues. Furthermore, this impact exhibits some heterogeneity between urban and rural areas. Mechanism analysis indicates that the adverse effect of income inequality on charitable giving operates through reducing social interaction, including both online and offline forms.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that income inequality has distinct adverse effects on two types of charitable giving and explain the mechanisms underlying these effects through social interaction. A pattern of the differential mode of association similar to “ripples” in Chinese society is beneficial for understanding these differentiated impacts. We believe it is necessary to improve economic inequality conditions and enhance the enthusiasm of the Chinese public for participating in charitable donations by promoting various forms of social interaction.

摘要中译：

[研究目的] 本研究探究以相对剥夺指数测量的个体收入不平等与其慈善捐赠之间的关联性，并检验了城乡异质性。在此基础上，进一步考察了线上和线下形式的社会互动的机制作用。

[研究方法] 利用2014-2020年4期中国家庭追踪调查数据，我们采用了Probit回归模型、基于Bootstrap方法的跨模型平均边际效应差异检验方法、工具变量法、KHB效应分解方法。

[研究结果] 研究发现，以相对剥夺指数测量的个人收入不平等因素显著减少了中国居民家庭的慈善捐赠。个体收入不平等对社会慈善捐赠的抑制效应高于以朋友、同事为帮扶对象的慈善捐赠。且这种影响在城乡间存在一定的异质性。机制分析发现，收入不平等对慈善捐赠的不利影响是通过减少社会互动来发挥作用的，包括线上和线下形式的社会互动。

[研究结论] 研究证明了收入不平等对两类慈善捐赠具有差异性的不利影响，并通过社会互动解释了其中的影响机制。中国社会中类似“涟漪”状的差序格局对于理解这种差异化的影响大有裨益。我们认为需要通过改善经济不平等的状况，在促进多种形式的社会互动的基础上，提高中国公众参与慈善捐赠的积极性。

作者：李森林，张乐等

文章来源：Social Science Quarterly 2024