The Role of Employment in Preventing Continued Drug Use Among Welfare Recipients

ABSTRACT

This article utilized a panel design to analyze the relationship between employment and drug use among low-income women over a 2-year period. Five hundred and thirty four (N = 534) female welfare recipients were recruited as part of a 5-year study designed to examine the effects of chronic drug use on the transition from welfare to work. The prototypical study participant was female, single, African American, had less than a 12th grade education, and was about 30 years of age. At intake, less than 10% of the sample was employed. By the end of year 1, more than 40% of sample participants had attained employment. By the end of year 2, nearly 50% were employed. Results indicate that a welfare recipient working more hours during year 1 was a significant predictor of decreased drug use during year 2. Results are discussed in the context of using employment as a central element in tertiary prevention methods geared toward unemployed, chronic drug-using female Temporary Assistance to Needy Family (TANF) recipients.

KEYWORDS:

• Drug use prevention
• employment
• TANF
• welfare

Opinions expressed herein are solely those of the authors. Support for this research was provided by grant R01 DA 11414 to the investigators from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The authors would like to acknowledge Elizabeth Robertson, PhD, and Travis Cal for their assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.

Notes

^a Denotes a significant change over time (Z = −4.4, p < .001).