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Distress and unemployment: the related economic and noneconomic factors in a sample of unemployed adults

International Journal of Public Health volume 61, pages 821–828 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives

To examine the associations between economic and noneconomic factors and psychological distress in a group of 748 unemployed adults during economic recession.

Methods

Data were collected through a questionnaire. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were used to test the associations between distress and the deprivation of income and latent benefits of employment (time structure, activity, status, collective purpose and social contact).

Results

The participants’ mean of distress was higher than the national population mean, and 46.5% of the participants scored above that. All economic and noneconomic factors emerged as strong predictors of distress; particularly financial deprivation (OR 1.06; CI 95 % 1.04–1.09) and lack of structured time (OR 1.07; CI 95 % 1.05–1.09). Women (OR 1.40; CI 95 % 1.04–1.86) and people with lower education levels (OR 0.45; CI 95 % 0.34–0.61) were more affected.

Conclusions

The unemployed individuals score high on distress, especially those facing financial strain and lack of structured time, and women and individuals with lower education in particular. Given the recessionary context and high unemployment rates, these insights raise awareness for policies and actions targeting the needs of unemployed people.

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Acknowledgments

Frasquilho D received a grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), reference SFRH/BD/80846/2011. The authors are grateful to the Lisbon Municipality and civil parishes (Benfica, São João, São João de Deus, São Francisco Xavier and Campolide) for allowing access to all participants in the survey. The authors wish to thank Dr. Sharon Leahy from the University of St. Andrews who assisted in the proofreading of the manuscript.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Aventura Social, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Diana Frasquilho & Margarida Gaspar de Matos

  2. Medical School and CMDT, Nova University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Diana Frasquilho

  3. William James Research Center, ISPA, Lisbon, Portugal

    Margarida Gaspar de Matos

  4. Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Adilson Marques

  5. Public Health Research Centre, National School of Public Health, Nova University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Adilson Marques

  6. Lisbon Lusíada University, Lisbon, Portugal

    Tânia Gaspar

  7. ISAMB, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Tânia Gaspar

  8. Department of Mental Health, Medical School, Nova University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    José Miguel Caldas-de-Almeida

Authors
  1. Diana Frasquilho
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  2. Margarida Gaspar de Matos
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  3. Adilson Marques
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  4. Tânia Gaspar
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  5. José Miguel Caldas-de-Almeida
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Correspondence to Diana Frasquilho.

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Frasquilho, D., de Matos, M.G., Marques, A. et al. Distress and unemployment: the related economic and noneconomic factors in a sample of unemployed adults. Int J Public Health 61, 821–828 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-016-0806-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-016-0806-z

Keywords

  • Economic recession
  • Financial deprivation
  • Mental health
  • Psychological stress
  • Time structure
  • Unemployment