Path Analysis of Welfare Use: Depression as a Mediating Factor

Abstract

Depression, Economic hardships, Employment, Life circumstances, Welfare use,

Health Research in JFEI Over a Decade: 2009–2019

“…Further, states with greater levels of welfare restrictiveness had higher rates of violent crime (Liebertz and Bunch 2017), exceeding time limits decreased probability of Medicaid coverage and provider contact and increased the probability of being uninsured . Consistent with this literature, Hunn and Heath (2011) found that economic hardships and adverse life events increased depression scores, depression reduced earnings, and increased use of TANF by eligible women. Chronic depression is overrepresented in the welfare population and the complexity of transitioning from welfare to work may exacerbate these conditions and create greater barriers.…”

“…Hunn and Heath ( 2011 ) examined, simultaneously, the effects of economic hardships and adverse life events on depression, and illustrated the role of depression as the mediating variable between life circumstances (caused by economic hardships and adverse life events) and employment or welfare use. Depression was measured using a scale constructed from respondent statements.…”

“…Four studies have been described in previous sections of this review in the context of their health findings, and are now discussed in terms of their policy focus. These include Chen and Zhang ( 2011 ) and Zhang et al ( 2011 ) on child BMI, Hunn and Heath ( 2011 ) on depression, and Yaskewich ( 2015 ) on the relationship between health coverage and college enrollment. Other papers discussed in this section had a specific focus on particular health policies or programs.…”