Welfare Shame, Economic Hardship, and Drug Use: Their Relationship to the Psychological Distress Observed in TANF Recipients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recent studies conducted in Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) populations show that TANF recipients are more likely to suffer from persistent psychiatric disorders and mental health problems than are non—TANF recipients. It has been estimated that approximately 35% of TANF recipients have psychological distress symptoms, with depression being the most commonly reported disorder. OBJECTIVE: To determine if drug use may modify the welfare-distress relationship by forming an interaction with shame, economic hardship, or both. STUDY DESIGN: A survey design consisting of 534 female recipients was used. RESULTS: Drug users demonstrated higher levels of anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem than nonusers. Neither welfare shame nor economic hardship had direct effects on psychological distress; economic hardship significantly modified the effect of drug use. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to previously published reports, welfare shame was not associated with the psychological distress observed in this sample of welfare recipients. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2007; 13(5), 275-284. DOI: 10.1177/1078390307307256