Unemployment Is Taking Its Toll On The Mental Health Of Young Women And Men In The United States

Main Category: Mental Health
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry;  Anxiety / Stress;  Depression
Article Date: 21 Aug 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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Given the current economic recession and high unemployment rates in the United States, this timely study suggests that the stress of being unemployed for longer durations as a young adult predicts higher levels of depressive symptoms.

The researcher examines whether unemployment while looking for a job and being out of the labor force while not seeking work have distinct effects on symptoms of depression among young women and men in the United States. Using data from the 1979-1994 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, the study found that current unemployment status and out-of-the-labor force status were significantly associated with depressive symptoms at ages 29 to 37 years. Results further revealed that past unemployment duration across 15 years of the transition to adulthood predicted depressive symptoms. However, past duration out of the labor force did not predict depressive symptoms.

The researchers asserts, "Medical interventions, social welfare initiatives, and public health policies targeted to counteract spells of unemployment and protect mental health during the transition to adulthood could ultimately improve population health in the future."

From: "The Influence of Past Unemployment Duration on Symptoms of Depression among Young Women and Men in the United States."

Source
American Journal of Public Health