The contribution of financial hardship, socioeconomic position and physical health to mental health problems among welfare recipients

摘要

Recent changes to income support payments for single parents have prompted public debate about the financial adequacy of Newstart allowance and other welfare payments. Currently, the Newstart Allowance for a single person with no dependents is $501.00 per fortnight. The inadequacy of these payments has been highlighted by studies estimating that recipients of unemployment payments spend 122% of their income on daily living expenses, and 75% of Newstart recipients are reported to live in extreme poverty. Given that common psychiatric disorders occur more frequently among welfare recipients relative to the general population, and that financial hardship and socioeconomic disadvantage are key correlates of mental disorders, the types of welfare reforms recently introduced can have real implications for population health and wellbeing.