The Effects of Economic Policies and Employment Assistance Programs on the Well-Being of Displaced Female Apparel Workers

Abstract

This article explores howlabor market trends and current employment assistance policies affect reemployment opportunities and emotional well-being in a sample of female dislocated apparelworkers. The study follows the displacedwomen from the time the plant closed for 6 months to assess their financial and emotional well-being as they reentered the job market or enrolled in training programs. Averagewages of the reemployedwomen were less than their former plantwage; 14% lost their health insurance, and only half thewomen in training were in programs leading to higher paying jobs. Although some emotional recovery occurred, single parents still showed signs of depression after 6 months. Continued financial difficulty over timewas strongly correlated with depressive symptoms. Depression, in turn, was significantly related to satisfaction with spouse and children’s behavioral problems. In a multivariate analysis, baseline depression, financial difficulty, and single parenthood predicted depression 6 months later.