People falling below the poverty line are likely to have a significantly lower level of education and more long-term health problems, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by clinical psychologist Angela Abela and sociologist Charles Tabone and launched yesterday during a seminar organised by the National Family Commission, notes that depression is almost three times more frequent among the poor, who are also less integrated in social life.

It was found that while children in poor families have a greater tendency to suffer from emotional problems than those in families living above the poverty line, the latter are more likely to get treatment.

National Statistics Office figures published in 2007 revealed that almost 15 per cent of the population fell below the poverty line, including almost 22 per cent of under-16-year-olds.

"It is heartbreaking to hear a mother say she can only take her son shopping for a treat when she receives her social services cheque and only buying necessities for the rest of the month," Fr Tabone said, adding that poverty could be hidden in an affluent society.

The in-depth study painted a bleak picture of today's poor, who are more likely to have marital disagreements, with most of their arguments revolving around financial problems. In fact, one mother described poverty as "despair and quarrels in the family". At times, women have to borrow money from their mothers to buy food for their families. But they are still likely to hide their economic situation because it embarrasses them.

"I think I would be embarrassed to beg... In this day and age, are you going to beg to bring up the children?" one mother wondered.

The study found that single mothers are the worst hit by poverty.

Poverty also seems to transcend generations, with children of poor parents more likely to fall into the trap of poverty themselves and inherit the disadvantages that come with it.

Although mothers consider education to be the passport to a better future for their children, many feel incapable of encouraging their children to study.

Some 10 per cent of poor adults have failed to complete their primary education - almost double the number of non-poor adults. But despite lower levels of education among poor people, 80 per cent of children are still helped to do their homework.

According to the study, Malta's minimum wage is a poverty wage, which has to be stretched to make ends meet.

"We are in a situation where we have to be really careful, buying only what I will be cooking this week and I just buy those items which I would have listed on a piece of paper. Can you reach beyond such extremes?" one mother asked.

Unemployment benefits are also falling short and are not enough to make ends meet. One mother said: "Sometimes I have to borrow money from my mother to buy food items."

The meagre difference between social benefits and the minimum wage - €11.65 - means many unemployed are unmotivated to work. One of the reasons behind this is that unemployment benefits provide a stable income for vulnerable workers, according to the study.

Employment advisers estimate that about half of those getting social benefits might not be completely genuine. Those caught working risk losing their benefits for six months, something that triggered Social Policy Minister John Dalli to suggest a change in the law.

He said a system of "flexi-unemployment" should be introduced through which social benefits were stopped when a person found a job but started being given again as soon as one lost one's job.

Mr Dalli lauded the research, saying it was imperative to form policies on studies and objective facts rather than prejudice and anecdotes.

Among its 23 recommendations, the study points out that the minimum wage is a cause for concern and those who earn this amount and live with a dependant person are at a high risk of poverty. Nevertheless, the revision of the minimum wage is a complex endeavour and requires in-depth investigation from an economic perspective, it suggests.

To minimise the risk of poverty, welfare benefits also need to be reconsidered, especially the children's allowance. Unemployment benefits have to ensure an adequate standard of living, but stricter measures are needed to fight benefit fraud, the report says.