Unemployment and mental health: a global study of unemployment's influence on diverse mental disorders

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, one in five individuals faces unemployment, which substantially increases their risk of developing mental disorders. Understanding the relationship between unemployment and specific mental health outcomes is crucial for formulating effective policy interventions.

Methods: This study examines the relationship between unemployment and mental disorders across 201 countries from 1970 to 2020. Using a fixed-effects model, we analyze the impact of unemployment on various mental health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, drug use, and eating disorders, with a focus on demographic variations.

Results: The analysis reveals a significant positive association between unemployment and mental disorders, particularly anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Moreover, distinct patterns emerge, linking unemployment to higher rates of drug use and eating disorders in specific demographics.

Discussion: These findings underscore the critical interplay between socio-economic factors and mental health, highlighting the need for proactive strategies to address the dual burden of unemployment and mental health disorders. Targeted interventions, such as employment support programs and accessible mental health services, are essential to improve global mental health outcomes. These initiatives can also alleviate the economic burden of unemployment by boosting workforce participation and productivity. Long-term economic gains may offset the increased healthcare expenditures associated with mental health support.

Keywords: democracy; globalization; institutions; mental health; per capita income; unemployment; urbanization.