The Effects of Unemployment and Economic Distress on Depression Symptoms

Dados Bibliográficos

ID22320698
AutoresDimitra Latsou (0000-0002-9451-0102, University of Peloponnese, autor correspondente), Mary Geitona (0000-0001-7014-5991, University of Peloponnese)
Ano2018
Volume30
Fascículo2
Páginas180
Data de publicação2018-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoMateria Socio Medica (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1512-7680 • E-ISSN: 1986-597X
EditoraScopeMed (PUBLISHER • TR)
DOI10.5455/msm.2018.30.180-184
PMID30515055
OpenAlexW2891805318
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas5
Referências citadas8

INTRODUCTION: The financial crisis in Greece had its strongest impact on unemployment, which led to exacerbation of shrinking incomes and depression symptoms. AIM: To investigate the combined effects of unemployment and economic distress on the Greek population mental health in times of economic crisis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Piraeus Manpower Employment Organization (OAED), during September-December 2017, with 21,600 unemployed people records. A random sample was selected among unemployed who attended this entity. A questionnaire was structured including questions on the unemployed' sociodemographic characteristics, the Index of Personal Economic Distress (IPED), and the CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies -Depression) scale. Descriptive and inductive statistics were performed in order to find the statistical significance of differences. Binary logistic regression was realized to investigate the associations of unemployment and economic distress as prognostic factors for the experience of symptoms associated with depression. RESULTS: Totally, 130 unemployed participated in the study. 67.7% was female, the mean age was 37.8 years and 47.7% had a secondary educational level. A significant reduction in household monthly income before and after unemployment was observed (p=0.001). The majority of sample was long-term unemployed and 42.3% was short-term. The mean score of IPED was 12, meaning great economic distress. Moreover, based on CES-D score 63.8% of unemployed presented elevated depression and 36.2% no symptoms of depression. Positive correlation was found between the duration of unemployment with IPED (r=0.565) and with CES-D score (r=0.173). The logistic regression showed that the likelihood of expressing depression was influenced by increasing IPED (OR=1.089) and duration of unemployment (OR=1.322). CONCLUSIONS: The duration of unemployment and economic hardship led to a higher risk of depressive symptoms, thus policy actions must place greater emphasis on providing additional support through the creation of a more adequate and effective integrated social and health care network

Distress · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Logistic regression · Mental distress · Mental health · Population · Psychiatry · Unemployment · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Employment and Welfare Studies · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology · Workplace Health and Well-being · Epidemiology