Effects of Labor Force Participation on Sex Differences in Mortality and Morbidity

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the effects of men’s and women’s labor force participation on sex differences in mortality and morbidity. Labor force participation includes both employment and job seeking by the unemployed. Employment can have both harmful and beneficial effects on health (Palmore, Burchett, Fillenbaum, George, & Wallman, 1985; Repetti, Matthews, & Waldron, 1989; Sorensen & Verbrugge, 1987; Waldron, 1980). Employment can have harmful health effects due to exposures to physical and chemical occupational hazards and job stress. In addition, it has been hypothesized that strain or overload due to combined job and home responsibilities may have harmful effects on health, especially for employed women with children. Employment may also have beneficial effects on health due to increased income, social support from coworkers, and greater social status, self-esteem, and sense of accomplishment. Being an unemployed job seeker appears to have more harmful effects on health than being employed (Linn, Sandifer, & Stein, 1985; Moser, Fox, & Jones, 1984). The relative importance of the specific harmful and beneficial health effects of labor force participation varies, depending on characteristics of the individual and his or her occupation. As a result, the overall effect of labor force participation on health varies, depending on individual characteristics and job characteristics (Repetti et al., 1989).