Duration of unemployment and depression: a cross-sectional survey in Lithuania

Abstract

BackgroundIn spite of a growing economy, unemployment is still a severe socio-economic problem in Lithuania. Nonetheless, no studies have been performed about the associations between unemployment and mental health in Lithuania. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between unemployment duration and depression in Lithuania.MethodsThe data was collected in a cross-sectional study in 2005. There were 429 filled-in questionnaires received (53.6% response rate) from unemployed persons registered with the Kaunas Labour Market Office. The severity of depression symptoms was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Logistic regression was used to estimate the risk factors for occurrence of depression. Sex, age, place of residence, marital status, education, income and practiced religion were the independent variables. Long-term unemployment was defined as lasting a duration of 12 months or more.ResultsThe findings showed that long-term unemployed persons had more episodes of a depressive mood in the past 12 months in comparison with the group of the short-term unemployed. In addition, the BDI score mean was higher among the long-term unemployed compared with the short-term unemployed (10.1 ± 8.8 and 14.2 ± 9.5 respectively, p < 0.001). It was estimated that the duration of unemployment and BDI score had a positive correlation (r = 0.1968, p < 0.001). Among the short-term unemployed, the risk of depression increased significantly when the person was female, had an older age and had experienced more episodes of unemployment. Among the long-term unemployed, an older age was the risk factor for development of depression. However, higher education and income were the factors that significantly decreased the risk of developing depression for-short term as well as for long-term unemployed.ConclusionThe results indicated that depression is a severe problem in the unemployed population. Depression is more elevated among the long-term unemployed. This leads to arguing for common efforts in providing needed social support and health care to reduce the effects of unemployment on mental health.

Screening symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation in people with epilepsy using the Beck depression inventory

“…38 Employment, despite its economic value, indicates social acceptance and leads to sense of worth. Many previous studies have reported a relationship between unemployment and ill health, 40 poor quality of life 41,40 and depression. 40,42,43 Our study found a relationship between unemployment in PWE and symptoms of depression.…”

“…Many previous studies have reported a relationship between unemployment and ill health, 40 poor quality of life 41,40 and depression. 40,42,43 Our study found a relationship between unemployment in PWE and symptoms of depression. Unemployment may be a predictor for depression in epilepsy or the other way around.…”

Recognising female sexual dysfunction as an essential aspect of effective diabetes care

“…Depression is twice as likely to be experienced by people living with diabetes and one in three people with diabetes experience a significant loss in their quality of life due to depression, with the risk for females being higher than for males (Phillips, 2012). Several research studies have reported increased incidence of depression with lower educational levels (Kucuk et al, 2013, Lloyd et al, 2012, Yang et al, 2009, Stankunas et al, 2006, Sivrikaya et al, 2014. Practitioners also need to acknowledge the effects on sexual dysfunction of anti-depressant treatments.…”

Unemployment Duration and Disability: Evidence from Portugal

“…Linn, Sandifer and Stein (1985) found that after unemployment, symptoms of somatization, depression, and anxiety were significantly greater in the unemployed than in the employed. Stankunas et al (2006) document high incidence of depression among the long term unemployed in Lithuania; a problem especially acute among disabled persons since they face a relatively high likelihood of finding themselves as long term unemployed as a consequence of their relatively low reemployment probabilities. Both findings lead to a circular relation between unemployment duration and health status, with possible continuous and progressive worsening of employment and health status for disabled persons.…”