Exploring the Relationship Between Public Assistance Use and Depressive Symptoms Among Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness

Objective: This study examines the association between public assistance use and depressive symptoms among young adults experiencing homelessness (YAEH). Method: A purposive sample of 1,342 YAEH (ages 18-26) residing in seven U.S. cities (Denver, CO; Houston, TX; Los Angeles and San Jose, CA; New York, NY; Phoenix, AZ; and St. Louis, MO) were asked whether they received any form of public assistance over the past year, of which 45% did. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to assess depressive symptoms. We used propensity score matching to balance the two groups (i.e., public assistance recipients and nonrecipients) and account for selection bias, then we conducted multivariate ordinary least squares regression analysis to examine the relationship between public assistance and depressive symptoms. Results: YAEH who had used public assistance had a significantly higher depression score (b=1.13, p=.004) than nonrecipients. Conclusions: Findings suggest many possible connections between public assistance use and depression, yet public assistance does not appear to improve mental health for a population facing multiple challenges and barriers. Further research is needed to understand the directional relationship between public assistance and mental health for this population. Social workers should be especially attentive to the mental well-being of young, homeless public assistance recipients.