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. 2020 Sep;62(9):686-691.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001962.

Job Insecurity and Financial Concern During the COVID-19 Pandemic Are Associated With Worse Mental Health

Jenna M Wilson  1 , Jerin Lee, Holly N Fitzgerald, Benjamin Oosterhoff, Bariş Sevi, Natalie J Shook
Affiliations

Job Insecurity and Financial Concern During the COVID-19 Pandemic Are Associated With Worse Mental Health

Jenna M Wilson et al. J Occup Environ Med. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether job insecurity due to COVID-19 and financial concern were associated with worse mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: Participants (N = 474 employed U.S. individuals) completed an online survey from April 6 to 12, 2020. Linear regressions were used to examine factors associated with mental health.

Results: After accounting for demographic characteristics, health status, other COVID-19 experiences, and anxiety symptoms, greater job insecurity due to COVID-19 was related to greater depressive symptoms. Conversely, after accounting for covariates and depressive symptoms, greater financial concern was related to greater anxiety symptoms. Further, greater job insecurity was indirectly related to greater anxiety symptoms due to greater financial concern.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that employers should aim to reduce job insecurity and financial concern among employees during the COVID-19 pandemic to address the associated mental health consequences.

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References

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    1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment Situation Summary [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics web site]. May 11, 2020. Available at: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm. Accessed June 8, 2020.
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