Unemployment and mental health: a global study of unemployment’s influence on diverse mental disorders

IntroductionGlobally, one in five individuals faces unemployment, which substantially increases their risk of developing mental disorders. Understanding the relationship between unemployment and specific mental health outcomes is crucial for formulating effective policy interventions.MethodsThis stu...

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Main Authors: Yang Yang, Lisi Niu, Saqib Amin, Iftikhar Yasin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1440403/full
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author Yang Yang
Lisi Niu
Lisi Niu
Saqib Amin
Iftikhar Yasin
author_facet Yang Yang
Lisi Niu
Lisi Niu
Saqib Amin
Iftikhar Yasin
author_sort Yang Yang
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionGlobally, one in five individuals faces unemployment, which substantially increases their risk of developing mental disorders. Understanding the relationship between unemployment and specific mental health outcomes is crucial for formulating effective policy interventions.MethodsThis study examines the relationship between unemployment and mental disorders across 201 countries from 1970 to 2020. Using a fixed-effects model, we analyze the impact of unemployment on various mental health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, drug use, and eating disorders, with a focus on demographic variations.ResultsThe analysis reveals a significant positive association between unemployment and mental disorders, particularly anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Moreover, distinct patterns emerge, linking unemployment to higher rates of drug use and eating disorders in specific demographics.DiscussionThese findings underscore the critical interplay between socio-economic factors and mental health, highlighting the need for proactive strategies to address the dual burden of unemployment and mental health disorders. Targeted interventions, such as employment support programs and accessible mental health services, are essential to improve global mental health outcomes. These initiatives can also alleviate the economic burden of unemployment by boosting workforce participation and productivity. Long-term economic gains may offset the increased healthcare expenditures associated with mental health support.
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spelling doaj-art-0af3fb2d382649999b4b52b139e39a3e2024-12-13T12:01:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652024-12-011210.3389/fpubh.2024.14404031440403Unemployment and mental health: a global study of unemployment’s influence on diverse mental disordersYang Yang0Lisi Niu1Lisi Niu2Saqib Amin3Iftikhar Yasin4Department of Human Resources, Shenzhen Pingle Orthopedic Hospital, Guangdong, Shenzhen, ChinaSchool of Emergency Management, Henan Polytechnic University, Henan, Jiaozuo, ChinaSafety and Emergency Management Research Center, Henan Polytechnic University, Henan, Jiaozuo, ChinaDepartment of Economics, Accounting and Finance, University of Oulu, Oulu, FinlandDepartment of Government and Public Policy, Faculty of Contemporary Studies, National Defence University, Islamabad, PakistanIntroductionGlobally, one in five individuals faces unemployment, which substantially increases their risk of developing mental disorders. Understanding the relationship between unemployment and specific mental health outcomes is crucial for formulating effective policy interventions.MethodsThis study examines the relationship between unemployment and mental disorders across 201 countries from 1970 to 2020. Using a fixed-effects model, we analyze the impact of unemployment on various mental health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, drug use, and eating disorders, with a focus on demographic variations.ResultsThe analysis reveals a significant positive association between unemployment and mental disorders, particularly anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Moreover, distinct patterns emerge, linking unemployment to higher rates of drug use and eating disorders in specific demographics.DiscussionThese findings underscore the critical interplay between socio-economic factors and mental health, highlighting the need for proactive strategies to address the dual burden of unemployment and mental health disorders. Targeted interventions, such as employment support programs and accessible mental health services, are essential to improve global mental health outcomes. These initiatives can also alleviate the economic burden of unemployment by boosting workforce participation and productivity. Long-term economic gains may offset the increased healthcare expenditures associated with mental health support.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1440403/fullunemploymentmental healthglobalizationinstitutionsper capita incomeurbanization
spellingShingle Yang Yang
Lisi Niu
Lisi Niu
Saqib Amin
Iftikhar Yasin
Unemployment and mental health: a global study of unemployment’s influence on diverse mental disorders
Frontiers in Public Health
unemployment
mental health
globalization
institutions
per capita income
urbanization
title Unemployment and mental health: a global study of unemployment’s influence on diverse mental disorders
title_full Unemployment and mental health: a global study of unemployment’s influence on diverse mental disorders
title_fullStr Unemployment and mental health: a global study of unemployment’s influence on diverse mental disorders
title_full_unstemmed Unemployment and mental health: a global study of unemployment’s influence on diverse mental disorders
title_short Unemployment and mental health: a global study of unemployment’s influence on diverse mental disorders
title_sort unemployment and mental health a global study of unemployment s influence on diverse mental disorders
topic unemployment
mental health
globalization
institutions
per capita income
urbanization
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1440403/full
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