A comparison of psychosocial barriers among welfare recipients: Implications for drug treatment

Implementation of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) presents w elfare recipients with time-limited benefits and work requirements. However , it is estimated that over 140,000 welfare recipients meet the DSM-IV crit eria for "drug dependence". In this study, samples of chronic drug using an d non-drug using female TANF recipients were compared with regard to: curre nt employment, psychological functioning, self-perceived employment skills, barriers to employment, and need for help in seeking employment. It was fo und that non-drug using study participants were significantly more likely t o be employed and reported significantly higher self-perceived work skills than users. Chronic users reported significantly greater barriers to seekin g employment.