Alcohol Problems and Labor Force Participation Among Homeless Adults
Homeless adults, many of whom have alcohol, drug and mental health problems, obtain income from informal sector activities, public welfare entitlements, and work. Many changes in the administration of public entitlement benefits have been initiated under welfare reform. Among them is the institution of a work requirement and the possibility that welfare entitlements may be time-limited. This policy decision may be the impetus for a large number of homeless adults, who may have only have held sporadic or no job, to seek full-time employment. Although some demonstration projects have evaluated selected job outcomes for homeless adults with alcohol, drug and mental health problems, very little information is available on labor force participation. For this study, we used an existing longitudinal data set representing a county-wide, probability sample of homeless adults to examine the relationships among alcohol disorders and other variables on labor force participation in this population. We found that in the early 1990's, homeless adults who participated in the U.S. labor force were more likely to be: male, homeless less than a year, not self-identified as disabled, and not receiving public welfare entitlements. The diagnosis of a lifetime alcohol disorder(DSM-III-R)was not associated with labor force participation.
Learning Objectives: After attending this session, the participants will be able to: 1. identify variables associated with labor force participation among homeless adults. 2. describe "welfare reform" policies that may alter labor force participation among homeless adults. 3. discuss labor force participation among homeless adults over time
Keywords: Homelessness, Alcohol Problems
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.