This project proposes to examine the effects of severe economic stress and other psychosocial factors on the physical and mental health of single welfare mothers. Biological markers of stress will be assessed. Specific questions that will be addressed are: 1) What are the impacts of different income and work trajectories on recipients’ levels of psychosocial well-being, mental and physical health; and changes in these outcomes?; 2) To what extent do social support, spirituality, community resources and service programs moderate the impacts of these incomes and work trajectories on health and well-being?; 3) What are the behavioral and biological processes that link these income and work trajectories to psychosocial well-being, physical and mental health?; 4) What are the effects of biological markers of stress on changes in psychosocial well-being, mental and physical health?; and 5) Do these biomarkers interact with health status to affect changes in psychosocial well-being, mental and physical health?
For more information please contact: Kristine Siefert.