Citation

Frasquilho D, de Matos MG, Marques A, Gaspar T, Caldas-de-Almeida JM. Int. J. Public Health 2016; 61(7): 821-828.

Affiliation

Department of Mental Health, Medical School, Nova University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00038-016-0806-z

PMID

26971795

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations between economic and noneconomic factors and psychological distress in a group of 748 unemployed adults during economic recession.

METHODS: Data were collected through a questionnaire. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were used to test the associations between distress and the deprivation of income and latent benefits of employment (time structure, activity, status, collective purpose and social contact).

RESULTS: The participants' mean of distress was higher than the national population mean, and 46.5% of the participants scored above that. All economic and noneconomic factors emerged as strong predictors of distress; particularly financial deprivation (OR 1.06; CI 95 % 1.04-1.09) and lack of structured time (OR 1.07; CI 95 % 1.05-1.09). Women (OR 1.40; CI 95 % 1.04-1.86) and people with lower education levels (OR 0.45; CI 95 % 0.34-0.61) were more affected.

CONCLUSIONS: The unemployed individuals score high on distress, especially those facing financial strain and lack of structured time, and women and individuals with lower education in particular. Given the recessionary context and high unemployment rates, these insights raise awareness for policies and actions targeting the needs of unemployed people.

Language: en