OBJECTIVE: This study examined barriers to employability, motivation to abstain from substances and to work, and involvement in multiple service systems among male and female welfare applicants with alcohol- and drug-use problems. METHOD: A representative sample (N= 1,431) of all persons applying for public assistance who screened positive for substance involvement over a 2-year period in a large urban county were recruited in welfare offices. Legal, education, general health, mental health, employment, housing, and child welfare barriers to employability were assessed, as were readiness to abstain from substance use and readiness to work. RESULTS: Only 1 in 20 participants reported no barrier other than substance use, whereas 70% reported at least two other barriers and 40% reported three or more. Moreover, 70% of participants experienced at least one additional barrier classified as "severe" and 30% experienced two or more. The number and type of barriers differed by gender. Latent class analysis revealed four main barriers-plus-readiness profiles among participants: (1) multiple barriers, (2) work experienced, (3) criminal justice, and (4) unstable housing. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that comprehensive coordination among social service systems is needed to address the complex problems of low-income Americans with substance-use disorders. Classifying applicants based on barriers and readiness is a promising approach to developing innovative welfare programs to serve the diverse needs of men and women with substance-related problems.
OBJECTIVE: This study examined barriers to employability, motivation to abstain from substances and to work, and involvement in multiple service systems among male and female welfare applicants with alcohol- and drug-use problems. METHOD: A representative sample (N= 1,431) of all persons applying for public assistance who screened positive for substance involvement over a 2-year period in a large urban county were recruited in welfare offices. Legal, education, general health, mental health, employment, housing, and child welfare barriers to employability were assessed, as were readiness to abstain from substance use and readiness to work. RESULTS: Only 1 in 20 participants reported no barrier other than substance use, whereas 70% reported at least two other barriers and 40% reported three or more. Moreover, 70% of participants experienced at least one additional barrier classified as "severe" and 30% experienced two or more. The number and type of barriers differed by gender. Latent class analysis revealed four main barriers-plus-readiness profiles among participants: (1) multiple barriers, (2) work experienced, (3) criminal justice, and (4) unstable housing. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that comprehensive coordination among social service systems is needed to address the complex problems of low-income Americans with substance-use disorders. Classifying applicants based on barriers and readiness is a promising approach to developing innovative welfare programs to serve the diverse needs of men and women with substance-related problems.
Authors: Judith A Cook; H Stephen Leff; Crystal R Blyler; Paul B Gold; Richard W Goldberg; Kim T Mueser; Marcia G Toprac; William R McFarlane; Michael S Shafer; Laura E Blankertz; Ken Dudek; Lisa A Razzano; Dennis D Grey; Jane Burke-Miller Journal: Arch Gen Psychiatry Date: 2005-05
Authors: Jon Morgenstern; Barbara S McCrady; Kimberly A Blanchard; Katharine H McVeigh; Annette Riordan; Thomas W Irwin Journal: J Stud Alcohol Date: 2003-03
Authors: Jon Morgenstern; Aaron Hogue; Sarah Dauber; Christopher Dasaro; James R McKay Journal: J Stud Alcohol Drugs Date: 2009-11 Impact factor: 2.582