Risk for alcohol and drug abuse among ethnically diverse female recipients of public assistance.

OBJECTIVE

The present pilot study was conducted to examine the importance of hypothesized psychosocial risk factors in explaining substance abuse among female welfare recipients.

DESIGN

The study consisted of a cross-sectional design where participants completed a self-report questionnaire consisting of psychometrically appropriate measures.

PARTICIPANTS

The sample consisted of an ethnically diverse group of 150 adult female recipients of public assistance. The average age of participants was 33 years. Overall, participants were Hawaiian/Part-Hawaiian or Caucasian, unmarried mothers with one or two children, unemployed with an annual family income of less than $5000.

RESULTS

Increased alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and related problems were associated significantly with five predictors: mental health problems, aggressiveness, history of AOD problems in family, family cohesion, and lack of social support.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study generated a greater understanding of factors associated with increased AOD use and related problems that may be used to assist in the prevention and treatment of substance abuse problems among women living in poverty.