Abstract
PurposeDuring economic recession people with mental health problems have higher risk of losing their job. This paper analyses the issue by considering the Italian rates of unemployment amongst individuals with and without mental health problems in 2005 and 2013, that is prior and during the economic crisis.MethodsWe used data from the National surveys on “Health conditions and use of health services” carried out by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) for the years 2005 and 2013. The surveys collected information on the health status and socioeconomic conditions of the Italian population. Self-reported unemployment status was analysed amongst individuals with and without reported mental health problems. In addition, descriptive statistics were performed in order to detect possible differences in the risk of unemployment within different regional contexts characterised by different socio-economic conditions.ResultsThe recession determined increased disparities in unemployment rates between people with and without mental health problems. Regardless to the presence of mental health problems, young people were more likely to be unemployed. Among people who reported mental health problems, males were more likely to be unemployed than females. People with low education level were more likely to be unemployed, particularly during the recession and in presence of mental health problems. Changes in unemployment rates due to the crisis showed different patterns across different regions of the Country.ConclusionsThese analyses confirm that in periods of economic crisis people with mental health problems are at risk of experiencing exclusion from labour market. In addition, the impact is even worse within the group with low education and younger age. These findings emphasise the importance of specific interventions aimed at promoting labour market participation and reintegration for people with mental health problems.
Highlights
These analyses confirm that in periods of economic crisis people with mental health problems are at risk of experiencing exclusion from labour market
Worse within the group with low education and younger age. These findings emphasise the importance of specific interventions aimed at promoting labour market participation and reintegration for people with mental health problems
On the other hand, suffering from mental illness during a period of financial crisis has been reported to represent a major risk of losing jobs; and, as the labour market becomes tight, it may be more difficult for subjects with mental health problems (MHP) to access employment [7]
Summary
Unemployment represents a condition significantly associated with poorer physical and psychological health [1]; in addition, it has been documented that being unemployed during periods of financial crisis is detrimental both to physical and mental health [2]. Distress deriving from personal debt, isolation, social exclusion secondary to job loss, are known to be significant determinants of mental health conditions [1]. On the other hand, suffering from mental illness during a period of financial crisis has been reported to represent a major risk of losing jobs; and, as the labour market becomes tight, it may be more difficult for subjects with MHP to access employment [7]. As a matter of fact, large-scale population studies reported that “unemployment” was strongly associated with a deterioration of mental health scores [13, 14]
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