3130.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - 2:45 PM

Abstract #15243

Unemployment and mental health: Differential consequences for men and women

William R. Avison, PhD, Centre for Health and Well-Being, The University of Western Ontario, Third Floor, Social Science Centre, London, ON N6A 5B9, Canada, (519) 661-2111 X85119, wavison@julian.uwo.ca

In this paper, we estimate the impact of involuntary job loss as a risk for a number of different DSM-III-R defined mental health disorders. In so doing, we can assess whether mental health problems that are the consequences of unemployment are different for men and women. The 12-month prevalence rates are derived from a population based survey on 900 families resident in London, Canada. Families were over-sampled if either spouse had experienced a significant period of unemployment due to involuntary job loss in the four years preceding the interview. Our results reveal that over 27% of husbands who had experienced unemployment had suffered from a significant mental health problem compared to 16% for those who were stably employed. Among women, almost 36% who had job loss reported a diagnosable illness compared to approximately 23% of stably employed women. Gender differences across specific disorders are described as are variations in patterns of psychiatric comorbidity. We also examine the impact of re-employment on recovery from these illnesses.

Learning Objectives: Participants will learn about the results of a population-based epidemiologic survey concerning the impact of unemployment on mental health. They will be able to identify differences between men and women in the impact of job loss on mental disorders. They will learn about the association between unemployment and patterns of comorbidity. Finally, they will learn about the impact of re-employment on subsequent rates of mental disorder

Keywords: Mental Health, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA