Surviving social assistance: 12-month prevalence of depression in sole-support parents receiving social assistance.

Background: Although it is generally recognized that poverty and depression can coexist among single parents receiving social assistance, there is insufficient research on this topic. The goals of this study therefore were to investigate the prevalence, correlates and health care expenditures associated with depression among sole-support parents receiving social assistance.

Methods: Sole-support parents who had applied for social assistance in 2 regions of southwestern Ontario were included in the study.