Cumulative effects of unemployment on health in midlife
The buffering effect of social participation
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22075665 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Xiaoqun Chen (0000-0001-6102-176X, Hangzhou Vocational and Technical College), Tsz Lam Lau (Columbia University), Kun Hu (0000-0003-0350-3132, Hangzhou Vocational and Technical College), Kerui Hu, Jiangjun Yuan (0000-0002-4307-5737, Hangzhou Vocational and Technical College, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1611358-1611358 |
| Publication date | 2025-08-12 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1611358 |
| PMID | 40873980 |
| OpenAlex | W4413207390 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 34 |
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cumulative impact of unemployment on the overall health of middle-aged and older adults in China, and to explore the moderating role of social participation and its gender differences. Methods: This study utilized panel data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The sample included 5,973 individuals (2,830 men and 3,143 women), with respondents categorized by employment status and unemployment duration. Statistical methods included fixed effect model and factor analysis. Results: (1) Unemployment significantly damages health, with more pronounced adverse effects among men than women. (2) For men, longer unemployment durations result in progressively worse health outcomes, with the greatest negative impact observed at 6-8 years of unemployment. (3) Women experience significant health declines during short-term (0-2 years) and medium-term (3-5 years) unemployment only, with no additional deterioration in long-term unemployment. (4) Informal social participation significantly buffers the negative health effects of unemployment, particularly for men, while formal social participation shows no protective effect. Conclusion: (1) This study demonstrates the cumulative and gendered impact of unemployment on the health of middle-aged and older adults in China. (2) Informal social participation provides a meaningful buffer against the adverse health consequences of unemployment, particularly for men, whereas formal social activities may not offer such protection and may even have negative effects in certain scenarios. (3) These findings underscore the importance of strengthening informal social support networks to mitigate health risks associated with job loss among older populations
China · Demographic economics · Economic growth · Economics · Longitudinal study · Panel data · Political science · Social support · Sociology · Unemployment · Demography · Employment and Welfare Studies · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Occupational and environmental lung diseases · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology
Social support and health
Excess mortality of unemployed men and women during a period of rapidly increasing unemployment
Psychological and Physical Well-Being During Unemployment
Explicating Activity Theory
An Exploration of the Activity Theory of Aging
Social support concepts and measures
Social Ties and Mental Health
Men without jobs
Social participation and depression in middle-aged and senior citizens in China
Health Effects of Involuntary Job Loss Among Older Workers
Unemployment and Mental Health
The role of social support in protecting mental health when employed and unemployed
Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis
Unemployment, gender and mental health
Statistical Methods for Comparing Regression Coefficients Between Models
| Highly cited | No |
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