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Barriers to Employability Among Women on TANF With a Substance Abuse Problem
Figure Narratives
This bar chart shows that 13% of substance abusers and 30% of nonsubstance abusers spent less than 2 years on welfare, 15% of substance abusers and 33% of nonsubstance abusers spent 2 to 5 years on welfare, 21% of substance abusers and 22% of nonsubstance abusers spent 6 to 9 years on welfare, 16% of substance abusers and 7% of nonsubstance abusers spent 10 to 15 years in welfare and 36% of substance abusers and 7% of nonsubstance abusers spent more than 16 years on welfare.(back)
Figure 4.A. PRIMARY SUBSTANCE USE PROBLEM
This pie chart illustrates the primary substance used by the substance abuse sample based on the largest number of dependence symptoms. Heroin was the primary problem for 42% of the sample, cocaine 31%, alcohol 21% and marijuana 6%.(back)
Figure 4.B. DAYS DRANK OR USED DRUGS IN LAST MONTH
This bar chart illustrates that the average number of days of alcohol consumption to intoxication in the past month was 10, the average number of days of use of hard drugs (cocaine, heroin) in the past month was 13, the average number of days of use of soft drugs (marijuana, other) in the past month was 3, and the average number of days of any substance in the past month was 19.(back)
Figure 4.C. REGULAR HEAVY DRINKING AND DRUG USE
This bar chart shows the percent of the substance abuse sample who drank heavily or used drugs regularly for a period of at least one year. The regular heavy use of alcohol was 69%, the regular heavy use of cocaine was 67%, the regular heavy use of heroin was 50%, and the regular heavy use of marijuana was 41%.(back)
Figure 4.D. YEARS OF REGULAR DRINKING AND DRUG USE
This chart illustrates that the number of years of regular drinking was 14 years, the regular use of cocaine was 9 years, the regular use of heroin was 8 years, and the regular use of marijuana was 10 years.(back)
Figure 4.E. ALCOHOL AND DRUG TREATMENT HISTORY
This bar chart shows data on prior alcohol and drug treatment. Only 50% of the sample had received any type of substance abuse treatment other than detoxification, 20% had received only detoxification, and 30% had received no prior treatment.(back)
Figure 4.F. RECOMMENDED SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT (ASAM LEVEL OF CARE)
This table reports on the recommended levels of treatment based on ratings of problem severity using ASAM placement criteria. Inpatient residential treatment was recommended for 20% of the sample, inpatient hospital care was recommended for 13% of the sample, and outpatient care was recommended for 2% of the sample. For the majority of women (65%) intensive outpatient treatment was recommended.(back)
Figure 5.A. CURRENT EMPLOYMENT STATUS
This chart presents the percent of women who worked within the three months prior to study recruitment. Significantly more non-affected women (42%) worked as compared to substance abusing women (10%).(back)
Figure 5.B. EMPLOYMENT PATTERN PAST 3 YEARS
This chart illustrates findings on employment patterns during the past three years. About four in five substance abusers (81%) reported no work as the typical pattern of employment and only 10% reported being employed full-time for a majority of that period. Women in the non-affected sample reported significantly higher rates of employment with 55% reporting no work as the typical pattern of employment and 28% reporting working full-time for a majority of that period. In terms of part- time employment, 9% of the substance abuse sample worked part-time compared to 16% of the nonsubstance abuse sample.(back)
Figure 5.C. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
This chart presents findings on prior employment at some point in the past. The majority of both samples reported working at some point (substance abusers- 87%; nonsubstance abusers- 84%. Also, about two-thirds of substance abusers (69%) and non-affected women (62%) reported working full-time for at least one year.(back)
This chart shows that over half of substance abusing women (52%) reported no job skills and only 19% reported job skills. Significantly fewer women, 29% of the non-affected sample reported having no job skills and 24% reported job skills. Approximately 19% of the substance abuse sample and 24% of the nonsubstance abuse sample reported experience with jobs that required unskilled labor.(back)
This chart indicates that almost half (45%) of the substance abusers had both low education and job skills compared to only 28% of the nonsubstance abusers. Only 16% of substance abusers had both completed high school and had some job skills compared to 37% of the nonsubstance abusers. Finally, 38% of substance abusers had low education or job skills compared with 35% of the nonsubstance abusers.(back)
Figure 5.F. NEED FOR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
This chart indicates that 21% of the substance abusers did not need employment services compared to 71% of the nonsubstance abusers. Employment serviced was recommended for 55% of the substance abuse sample compared with 25% of nonsubstance abusers. Employment services were necessary for 24% of the substance abuser compared with 4% of nonsubstance abusers.(back)
This chart illustrates that over half (51%) of women in the substance abuse sample reported living in temporary or unstable housing and one in four (25%) reported being homeless in the past three months. Women in the non-affected sample reported significantly fewer housing problems, with 28% reporting unstable housing and 13% reported being homeless. One in three (33%) women in the substance abusing sample reported living with friends/ relatives and 30% lived in an emergency shelter compared to 24% of nonsubstance abusers who lived with relatives and 18% who lived in emergency shelters.(back)
Figure 6.B. CHILDCARE AND TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS
This chart indicates that 23% of the substance abuse sample and 26% of the non-affected sample report having some problems with childcare in the past month, and 16% of the substance abusers and 14% of the non-substance abusers report those problems to be serious. About two of every three women (69%) in the substance abuse sample reported problems with access to transportation and 40% reported these problems as serious. In the non-affected sample, 26% reported transportation problems and 10% reported those problems as serious.(back)
Figure 6.C. SEVERE NEIGHBORHOOD PROBLEMS
This chart reported neighborhood problems in five domains: 50% of the substance abusers and 58% of the nonsubstance abusers reported unemployment in their neighborhoods, 68% of the substance abusers and 43% of nonsubstance abusers reported drug use, 29% of the substance abusers and 28% of non substance abusers reported crime, 37% of the substance abusers and 20% of the nonsubstance abusers reported run-down buildings, 37% of the substance abusers and 34% of the nonsubstance abusers reported noise or heavy traffic and 58% of substance abusers and 39% of nonsubstance abusers reported two or more of these problems.(back)
This chart presents findings on medical problems that might present a barrier to employment. A minority (45%) of the substance abuse sample and nonsubstance abuse samples (30%) reported having a chronic medical condition. A smaller percentage of the substance abuse sample indicated that a medical problem limited (16%) or prevented (11%) them from working. The non-affected sample reported having somewhat fewer medical problems; 13% reported health problems that limited ability to work and 6% reported not being able to work because of a medical problem. Almost half (45%) of the substance abuse sample reported having a sexually transmitted disease at some point in their lives, and 11% reported having HIV/AIDS. Significantly less (22%) of the nonsubstance abuse sample reported having a sexually transmitted disease at some point in their lives and 0% reported HIV/AIDS.(back)
Figure 7.B. HEALTH STATUS COMPARED TO U.S. ADULT POPULATION
This chart presents data on participants' health status as compared to United States norms. About 26% of the substance abuse sample and 20% of the non-affected sample were in the lowest quartile on physical health status; 34% of the substance abusing sample and 30% of the nonsubstance abusing sample were in the second quartile; 14% of the substance abusing sample and 21% of the nonsubstance abusing sample were in the third quartile and 26% of the substance abusers and 29% of the nonsubstance abusers were in the highest quartile.(back)
Figure 7.C. NEED FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT
This chart reports on the current need for medical treatment; 59% of the substance abuse sample and 82% of the nonsubstance abusing sample had no need for medical treatment. For approximately 24% of substance abusers and 16% of nonsubstance abusers, medical treatment was recommended. For 17% of the substance abuse sample treatment was needed. Significantly fewer participants (<2%) from the non-affected sample were rated as requiring medical treatment.(back)
Figure 8.A. CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT
This chart illustrates findings on arrests. Over half (56%) of the substance abuse sample reported being arrested compared to 15% of the nonsubstance abusers; 22% of the substance abusers were arrested for a violent crime compared to 9% of nonsubstance abusers; 33% of substance abusers were arrested for minor crimes compared to 9% of nonsubstance abusers; 3% of substance abusers were arrested for prostitution compared to 0 % of nonsubstance abusers; 27% of the substance abusers compared to 1% of nonsubstance abusers reported being arrested for drugs.(back)
This chart shows that 44% of the substance abusers were never arrested compared to 85% of the nonsubstance abusers. Approximately 1 in 4 (23%) of the substance abusers were arrested once compared to 12% of nonsubstance abusers. In addition, 22% of the substance abusers were arrested 2-4 times, compared with 4% of nonsubstance abusers. Finally, 11% of the substance abuse sample and 0 % of the nonsubstance abuse sample were arrested 5 or more time.(back)
This table presents findings on incarceration. About one in four substance abusers (25%) spent time in jail compared to 5% of the nonsubstance abusers. Approximately (10%) of the substance abuse sample spent more than 6 months in jail compared to 3% of nonsubstance abusers.(back)
Figure 8.D. NEED FOR LEGAL SERVICES
This chart illustrates that 79% of substance abusers and 97% of nonsubstance abusers did not need legal assistance. Legal assistance was recommended for 16% of substance abusers and 3% of nonsubstance abusers and was considered necessary for 5% of substance abusers and 0% of nonsubstance abusers.(back)
Figure 9.A. PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
This chart shows that almost half of the substance abuse sample (45%) had major depression and 20% had post-traumatic stress disorder. On the other hand, only 9% of the nonsubstance abusers had current major depression and 3% met the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder. Almost half (48%) of the substance abuse sample met criteria for either disorder as compared to 10% of the non-affected sample.(back)
Figure 9.B. HAVE EXPERIENCED PSYCHITRIC PROBLEMS
This chart illustrates that almost half of the substance abuse sample (48%) compared to 29% of nonsubstance abusers experienced serious depression; 29% of substance abusers compared to 16% of non substance abusers experienced serious anxiety; 24% of substance abusers compared to 13% of non substance abusers experienced trouble controlling violent behavior; 32% of substance abusers compared to 12% of non substance abusers experienced serious thoughts of suicide; and 23% of substance abusers compared to 10% of non substance abusers had attempted suicide.(back)
Figure 9.C. PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE
This chart shows the percent of women reporting physical and sexual abuse. Almost half (49%) of substance abusers reported being physically abused at some point in their lives and 22% reported physical abuse in the last year compared to 25% of nonsubstance abusers who reported being physically abused at some point in their lives and 7% who reported physical abuse in the past year. One third (35%) of substance abusers reported being sexually abused at some point in their lives compared to 22% of the nonsubstance abuse sample.(back)
Figure 9.D. MENTAL HEALTH STATUS COMPARED TO U.S. ADULT POPULATION
This chart illustrates that 57% of substance abusers were in the lowest quartile of mental health status compared to 20% of the nonsubstance abusers. Similarly, 1 out of 4 substance abusers (26%) and of nonsubstance abusers (25%) were in the second quartile. Approximately 8% of substance abusers and 34% of nonsubstance abusers were in the third quartile, and 9% of the substance abusers and 21% of the substance abuse sample scored in the highest quartile.(back)
Figure 9.E. NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT
This chart shows that over half of the substance abuse sample (54%) did not require mental health treatment compared to 85% of nonsubstance abusers. Mental health treatment was recommended to 29% of the substance-abusing sample and 15% of the nonsubstance abusing sample. Treatment was considered necessary for 17% of substance abusers and 0% of nonsubstance abusers.(back)
Figure 10.A. FAMILY AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS
About one in three (40%)of the substance abuse sample reported serious family problems in the last month and 22% reported living with a substance user compared to 18% of nonsubstance abusers who experienced serious family problems in the last month and 1% reported living with a substance abuser. Substance abusers reported having low levels of social support; 32% reported spending most of their time alone, 43% reported having no close friends, and 57% reported being in need of emotional support. Women in the non-affected group also reported low levels of social support; 7% reported spending most of their time alone, 28% reported having no close friends, and 20% reporting being in need of emotional support.(back)
Figure 10.B. ABUSE BEHAVIORS BY PARTNER
This chart illustrates that 57% of substance abusers reported being threatened by their partner compared to 43% of the nonsubstance abuse sample; 44% of substance abusers reported being the victim of partner physical violence and 31% reported being the victim of severe physical violence; 23% of the non-affected sample reported being the victim of physical violence and 10% reported being the victim of severe physical violence.(back)
Figure 10.C. CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATION
This chart illustrates that 34% of substance abusers were currently being investigated by child protective services and 84% had been investigated at some point in their lives. Women in the non-affected sample had significantly less involvement with child protective services; 13% were currently under investigation and 48% had been under investigation at some point in their lives.(back)
Figure 10.D. NEED FOR FAMILY TREATMENT
This bar chart illustrates that 49% of substance abusers did not need family treatment compared to 94% of nonsubstance abusers who did not need family treatment. Family treatment was recommended for 34% of the substance abuse sample and was considered necessary for 17%. Family treatment was recommended for 6% of the nonsubstance abuse sample and was considered necessary for 0%.(back)
Figure 11.A. STRESSFUL EVENTS IN PAST YEAR
This chart illustrates that 24% of substance abusers identified illness as a stressful event for them in the past year compared to 22% of the nonsubstance abusers. About 1 in three substance abusers (30%) indicated that there were evicted from their residence within the past year and 17% stated they were homeless compared to 16% of the nonsubstance abusers who were evicted from their residence and 5% who were homeless. About 14% of the substance abusers were arrested and 20% were the victim of a violent crime compared to 4% of the nonsubstance abusers who were arrested and 7% who were the victim of a violent crime. About two-thirds (65%) of the substance abuse sample and about half (42%) of the non-affected sample experienced any stressful event in the last year.(back)
This chart shows that 40% of substance abusers had at least one childe age 0-5 compared to 71% of nonsubstance abusers. Over half of the substance abuse sample (60%) had a child age 6-11 compared to 48% of nonsubstance abusers. Also, over half (53%) of the substance abuse sample had a child age 12-17 compared to 26% of nonsubstance abusers.(back)
Figure 12.B. CHILDREN AGES 0-5 EXPERIENCING VARIOUS CHILD OUTCOMES
This chart indicates that 33% of children of substance abusers were read to compared to 38% of non substance abusers and 35% of the NSAF sample; 6% of children of substance abusers were in fair or poor health compared to 4% of non substance abusers and 5% of the NSAF sample; 28% of children of substance abusers had no contact with their father in the past year compared to 21% of non substance abusers and 30% of the NSAF sample.(back)
Figure 12.C. CHILDREN AGES 6-11 EXPERIENCING VARIOUS CHILD OUTCOMES
This chart reports on child outcomes for children in the 6-11 age group. Results indicate that 13% of children of substance abusers, 13% of nonsubstance abusers and 22% of the NSAF sample experienced low behavioral and emotional problems; 44% of children of substance abusers, 41% of nonsubstance abusers and 36% of the NSAF sample experienced high engagement in extracurricular activities and 10% of children of substance abusers, 5% of nonsubstance abusers and 7% of the NSAF sample experienced fair or poor health.(back)
Figure 12.D. CHILDREN AGES 12-17 EXPERIENCING VARIOUS CHILD OUTCOMES
This chart illustrates that 10% of children of substance abusers, 33% of nonsubstance abusers and 15% of the NSAF sample experienced low behavioral and emotional problems; 42% of children of substance abusers, 22% of nonsubstance abusers and 40% of the NSAF sample experienced high engagement in extracurricular activities; 20% children of substance abusers, 11% of non substance abusers and 10% of the NSAF sample experienced fair or poor health. Less than half (40%) of children of substance abusers, 11% of non substance abusers and 22% of the NSAF sample were expelled or suspended; 17% of children of substance abusers, 0% of nonsubstance abusers and 0% of the NSAF sample had a baby by age 18; 12% of children of substance abusers, 4% of nonsubstance abusers and 0% of the NSAF sample were arrested.(back)
Figure 12.E. CHILDREN AGES 6-17 EXPERIENCING VARIOUS CHILD OUTCOMES
This chart shows 43% of children of substance abuse mothers, 55% of children of nonsubstance abusing mothers, and 35% of the NSAF sample had no contact with their father in the past year. Almost half of the children of substance abusing women (40%), 16% of children of nonsubstance abusing mothers, and 20% of the NSAF sample experienced low school engagement.(back)
Figure 12.F. MOTHER'S AGGRAVATION
This chart illustrates that substance abusing mothers experienced higher levels of aggravation with their children (30%) than either the non-affected mothers (21%) or the national sample of mothers (22%).(back)
Figure 13.A. NUMBER OF DOMAINS NEEDING SERVICE: MEDICAL, MENTAL HEALTH, FAMILY, EMPLOYMENT, LEGAL
This chart illustrates that 11% of substance abusers and 52% of nonsubstance abusers required no services, 28% of substance abusers and 42% of nonsubstance abusers required 1 service, 26% of substance abusers and 6% of nonsubstance abusers required 2 services, 17% of substance abusers and 0% of nonsubstance abusers required 3 services, 16% of substance abusers and 0% of nonsubstance abusers required 4 services, 1% of substance abusers and 0% of nonsubstance abusers required 5 services.(back)
Figure 13.B. NUMBER OF EMPLOYMENT BARRIERS
The substance abuse sample experienced significantly more barriers to employment; 12% experienced 0-1, 30% experienced 2-3, 32% experienced 4-5, 18% experienced 6-7, 6 experienced 8-9, 2% experienced 10-11 and 0 experienced 12 or more. The non-effected women experienced significantly fewer barriers, 51% experienced 0-1, 31% experienced 2-3, 15% experienced 4-5, 3% experienced 6-7 and no one in the non-affected sample indicated more than 7 barriers to employment.(back)
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