Publication
Title
The social norm of unemployment in relation to mental health and medical care use : the role of regional unemployment levels and of displaced workers
Author
Abstract
The relationships between unemployment, mental health (care) and medication use among 50–65 year-old men (N = 11,789) and women (N = 15,118) are studied in Europe. Inspired by the social norm theory of unemployment, the relevance of regional unemployment levels and workplace closure are explored, using multilevel analyses of data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement. In line with the social norm theory, the results show that – only for men – displaced workers are less depressed and use less medication than the non-displaced unemployed. However, they report more depressive symptoms than the employed, which supports the causal effect of unemployment on mental health. Non-displaced unemployed men are also more likely to consume medication than the displaced unemployed. In addition, using regional unemployment as a proxy for the social norm of unemployment can be questioned when studying mental health effects, as it seems to be a stronger measurement of labour market conditions than of the social norm of unemployment, especially during a recession.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Work, employment and society / British Sociological Association [Belmont] - London, 1987, currens
Publication
London : 2016
ISSN
0950-0170 [print]
1469-8722 [online]
DOI
10.1177/0950017016631442
Volume/pages
31 :3 (2017) , p. 501-521
ISI
000404529200007
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 06.11.2019
Last edited 22.08.2024
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