Unemployment and Mental Health: Understanding the Interactions among Gender, Family Roles, and Social Class

Lucía Artazcoz, Joan Benach, Carme Borrell, Immaculada Cortès

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

347 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives. We examined gender differences in the effects of unemployment on mental health and assessed whether such effects are associated with interactions among gender, family roles, and social class. Methods. Our analysis included 3881 employed and 638 unemployed workers, aged 25 to 64 years, interviewed in the 1994 Catalonian Health Survey. Results. Unemployment had more of an effect on the mental health of men (age-adjusted odds ratio [OR]=2.98; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.30, 3.87) than on that of women (age-adjusted OR=1.51; 95% CI=1.11, 2.06). Gender differences in effects were related to family responsibilities and social class. Conclusions. Understanding the effects of unemployment on mental health requires consideration of the interactions among gender, family responsibilities, and social class.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)82-88
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health
Volume94
Issue number1
StatePublished - Jan 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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