Unemployment, birthweight, and growth in the first year.

Abstract

SUMMARYIn a cross sectional sample of 655 Glasgow babies the mean birthweight, after adjusting for other factors, of those with unemployed fathers was 150 g less (P<0.02) than for babies whose fathers were employed. A longitudinal study of 107 babies from 2 contrasting areas in Glasgow one of which was a socially deprived area was carried out concuriently. The deficit in length of 2-6% for infants from the deprived area at age 12 months was completely explained by adjusting for length at 1 month, father's height, and father's employment status (P<0 01). The effect of unemployment on the babies' birthweight was not affected by adjustment for sccial class. Unemployment may be related to poor infant growth in inner city areas and a national study is needed to see if the recent rise in unemployment has affected this association.

Poverty and the health of children and adolescents

“…67 Several studies have examined the relation between specific aspects of poverty and deprivation and children’s health. These include poor housing,68 69homelessness,70-73 unemployment,74 75dependence on benefits,9 76 living in a deprived area,32 77 income,78-81 multiple deprivation, and a lack of material resources 8283 These are all structural or material aspects of poverty and all show close and specific relations with children and young people’s health.…”

The associations of parental under-education and unemployment on the risk of preterm birth: 2003 Korean National Birth Registration database

“…Compared to maternal employment status, there were fewer studies that focused on the effect of paternal employment status on PTB. A study reported that paternal unemployment was associated with reduction in birthweight and that families where the father was unemployed had lesser income leading to a fall in the standard of living and increase in financial and marital stress (Cole et al 1983). A community-based study in Karachi also showed significant association between paternal unemployment and intrauterine growth retardation (Fikree and Berendes 1994).…”

“…In addition, it is traditionally believed that maternal influences are more important for birth outcomes than paternal influences (Chen et al 2008). However, previous studies in other countries suggest that paternal SES might also have significant associations with birth outcomes (Cole et al 1983;Gould et al 2003;Habib et al 2008;Lamy Filho et al 2007). A study in northeast Tanzania reported that paternal social characteristics, such as the educational level, appear to have a stronger influence on perinatal mortality than maternal characteristics do (Habib et al 2008).…”

“…A study in northeast Tanzania reported that paternal social characteristics, such as the educational level, appear to have a stronger influence on perinatal mortality than maternal characteristics do (Habib et al 2008). In the UK, it was reported that paternal unemployment is associated with reduced birthweight (Cole et al 1983). …”

Unemployment and Mental Health: Hazards and Challenges of Psychology in the Community

“…These include: the babies of unemployed men (Cole, Donnet and Stanfield, 1983); children with unemployed fathers (McLoyd, 1989); the spouses of unemployed people (Pilgrim Trust, 1938;McKee and Bell, 1986; members of the extended famiy of unemployed people (Binns and Mars, 1984); general medical practitioners working with unemployed people (Smith, 1987;Beale and Netliercott, 1985;Westin et al, 1988); the clergy, probation officers, and police officers (Fineman, 1990); and welfare system employees (Kingfisher, 1996). For further details see .…”