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Published in: Community Mental Health Journal 4/2014

01-05-2014 | Original Paper

Financial Coping Strategies of Mental Health Consumers: Managing Social Benefits

Author: Mary Ager Caplan

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 4/2014

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Abstract

Mental health consumers depend on social benefits in the forms of supplemental security income and social security disability insurance for their livelihood. Although these programs pay meager benefits, little research has been undertaken into how this population makes ends meet. Using a qualitative approach, this study asks what are the financial coping strategies of mental health consumers? Seven approaches were identified: subsidies, cost-effective shopping, budgeting, prioritizing, technology, debt management, and saving money. Results illustrate the resourcefulness of mental health consumers in managing meager social benefits and highlight the need to strengthen community mental health efforts with financial capabilities education.
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Metadata
Title
Financial Coping Strategies of Mental Health Consumers: Managing Social Benefits
Author
Mary Ager Caplan
Publication date
01-05-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 4/2014
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9674-7

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