| Summary: | This study was designed to explore social service utilization behavior of 100 elderly Blacks residing in a county in northwestern Florida. Employing a framework which included a wide range of variables, research questions that focused on identifying factors significantly associated with service utilization were developed and explored. In addition, reasons for nonutilization of services were investigated. === The results of the data analysis indicated that the variables which associated significantly with social service utilization were living arrangement, income, source of income, and informal network aid. Greatest service use was found among those respondents who lived alone, had lower incomes, received their incomes from Supplemental Security Income separately or in combination with other sources, and those who had a high level of informal network aid. === Additional findings of the study revealed that the association between service utilization and service awareness was influenced by geographic location; the association between service utilization and income was influenced by gender, age, and living arrangement; the association between service use and source of income was affected by gender, age, education, and living arrangement; the association between service use and informal network aid was affected by age, education, and geographic location; and the association between service utilization and need was influenced by gender, geographic location, and service awareness. === With respect to reasons given for nonutilization of services, the predominant response indicated a lack of need. Other responses included a lack of interest, a preference to provide for oneself, uncertainty about eligibility requirements and dissatisfaction with previous service provisions. In addition, some of the respondents stated that services had been discontinued, while others indicated that they had applied for services and were waiting for service delivery. === Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-10, Section: A, page: 2729. === Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1987.
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