Social disadvantage and individual vulnerability: A longitudinal investigation of welfare receipt and mental health in Australia - abstract

Objective: To examine longitudinal associations between mental health and welfare receipt among working-age Australians.                    

Conclusions: The poor mental health of welfare recipients may limit their opportunities to gain work and participate in community life. In part, this seems to reflect their adverse social and personal circumstances. However, there remains evidence of a direct link between welfare receipt and poor mental health that could be due to factors such as welfare stigma or other adverse life events coinciding with welfare receipt for those receiving unemployment or disability payments. Understanding these factors is critical to inform the next stage of welfare reform."