Pathways through TANF: The impact of unidentified depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms on employability and successful exits from welfare
Updated Nov. 2002

Principal Investigator: Mary Beth Shinn, Ph.D. (NYU Dept. of Psychology) Co-investigators: Mary Jane Alexander, Ph.D. (Nathan Kline Institute), Frank Lipton,M.D. (NYC Human Resources Administration)

Welfare reform has set limitations on the length of time recipients may receive public assistance. What are the barriers in moving from welfare to work? This project examines the incidence and significance of depression, anxiety, phobias and PTSD in preventing individuals from moving on from welfare among recipients of TANF - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

The study brings together Center researchers from NYU, HRA and the Nathan Kline Institute.

PROJECT GOALS

Project aims are to:

estimate the rates at which high levels of depressive, anxiety and PTSD symptoms and exposure to traumatic events are found among TANF recipients,
examine the relationship between symptoms and patterns of welfare utilization and work,
extend outcomes to include data on attainment of employment and returns to welfare, and the effect of immigrant status on outcomes.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND METHODS

Methods: Planning meetings to implement this study have been held with the Human Resources Administration (HRA) to understand how HRA job centers work, explore ways interviews and referral processes for this project can be included as part of HRA's ongoing procedures for new applicants and long-term recipients of public assistance, and develop a method for data collection utilizing data from the New York city and state systems. IRB approvals were obtained from NKI and NYU, and the Legal Office of HEA.

Screening instruments include:

Modules from the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (Version 5.0) to assess major depressive episode, dysthymia, manic and hypomanic episode, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
CES-D will be used for a dimensional assessment of depressive symptoms.
Traumatic History Questionnaire supplemented by the Survey of Exposure to Community Violence, to assess exposure to traumatic events, as well as an item eliciting whether the respondent ever needed to file an order of protection.

Results: Data collection was completed using computerized interviews (in English and Spanish) to assess mental health problems and exposure to violence among new applicants and long-term recipients of TANF benefits in four Jobs (welfare) Centers. Responses were received from 568 women over the age of 18, a 76% response rate. A written report and verbal briefing were presented to the Human Resources Administration.

SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS/ POLICY IMPLICATIONS

It is anticipated that knowledge of the relationship between mental illness symptoms, patterns of welfare use, and employability will be useful in promulgating policies for promoting more successful exits from welfare.

PLANS

Collection of data from welfare records will continue for a 24-36 month period to track outcomes for respondents, using a volunteer staff of graduate and undergraduate students.

We plan to collect data on participants difficulties with the welfare system;
Examine the relationship of mental health and exposure to violence to these difficuties;
Determine whether mental health status mediates relationships between violence and outcomes, or whether violence is independent of these outcomes.
Graduate researcher Claudia Rincom will examine the prevalence of difficulties for immigrants in contrasted with native born persons re: barriers, difficulties with the welfare system, and attainment of employment. Work will specifically examine:

potential differential effects of exposure to violence and mental health problems on immigrants compared with the native-born Americans in the population of welfare recipients,

relationships among the various barriers to employment (language proficiency, education, work history, child care demands, domestic violence, community violence, mental health) and difficulties with the welfare system and employment.

Inclusion of Gender and Minority Groups

	American Indian or Alaskan Native	Asian or Pacific Islander	Black, not of Hispanic Origin	Hispanic	Hispanic and Black	White, not of Hispanic Origin	Other of Unknown Origin
Female
Male
Unknown
TOTAL	0	1 (<1%)	177 (31%)	332 (59%)	17 (3%)	19 (3%)	17 (3%)

Presentations:

Rincon C, Toohey S, Shinn M, Alexander MJ, Lipton F. Pathways through TANF. Paper presented at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Society for Community Research and Action. June 7-10, 2001. Atlanta, GA.

Shinn, M. Mental health and welfare dynamic study, a conference on what we are learning about the well-being of children in families moving from welfare to work. . Forum on Children and Families, New York University, Child and Family Policy Center, March 23, 2000

Toohey S, Rincon C, Bertollo D, Aybar J, Shinn, M, Alexander MJ, Lipton F. Computer administered interviewing of women receiving welfare, presented at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Society for Community Research and Action. June 7-10, 2001, Atlanta, GA.

Entered: July 10, 2000

Updated: 11/18/02

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