A classification of social assistance recipients in Norway

A classification of social assistance recipients was undertaken using data from a nationwide survey of 1212 clients aged from 18 to 50 years. The findings revealed 4 distinct types of clients: the ill, the deviants, the dependents and the indebted. The ill are composed mainly of unmarried and divorced mothers. More than 50% report poor health and almost 90% have either anxiety or depressive disorders. More than 80% have used sedatives during the last 6 months. The deviants are almost exclusively men, and 3 of 4 are unmarried. They report high levels of drug use, and 80% have been convicted. The dependents are mainly women (62%) and report both the longest time as unemployed and as social assistance recipients. This group also includes many unmarried or divorced women. The men are usually unmarried. The indebted are people characterized by high housing debts. Almost all own a dwelling, and 85% own a car. The group is evenly split by gender. Two thirds of the men are married, and the majority of the women are divorced.