Analysis of characteristics among unemployed callers to the psychological support hotline in Beijing

Abstract

Introduction: Unemployment constitutes a significant social stressor that systematically impairs individuals' psychological adaptive capacity. It serves as an independent risk factor for mental health deterioration, significantly elevating the risks of depressive disorders, suicidal ideation, and related conditions. This study analyzes characteristics and mental health status of unemployed callers through psychological support hotline data, aiming to identify underlying psychological risk factors.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the general demographic data, primary concerns, and mental health status of unemployed callers to the Beijing Psychological Support Hotline from 2020 to 2023. Group comparisons were stratified by age and gender. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with mental health outcomes.

Results: The study included 9,002 call records from unemployed individuals, with 60.3% being female, 70.1% aged between 19 and 29, 73.2% unmarried, and 64.8% having no more than 15 years of education. Callers aged 19-29 years reported significantly higher proportions of non-familial interpersonal issues (χ²=8.03, P<0.01), depressive symptoms (χ²=7.48, P<0.01), and psychiatric symptoms (χ²=7.04, P<0.01) compared to those aged 30-59 years. Female callers (OR=1.50) exhibited higher susceptibility to suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and depression; individuals aged 30-59 years (OR=0.34-0.80, P<0.05) and those with prior psychiatric diagnoses (OR=0.66) demonstrated lower suicidal ideation risk; unmarried/divorced callers showed elevated hopelessness (OR=1.30-1.63), psychological distress (OR=1.39) and depression (OR=1.57); callers with ≥it years of education had lower levels of hopelessness, distress, and depression (OR=0.68-0.89, P<0.05); and daytime callers (8:00-23:00) exhibited lower hopelessness levels (OR=0.68-0.80, P<0.05).

Conclusions: Unemployed callers who are female, aged 19-29 or unmarried/divorced exhibited higher levels of psychological distress and suicide risk. Notably, while callers with a history of psychiatric diagnoses reported lower levels of suicidal ideation, they demonstrated higher levels of hopelessness and depressive symptoms. These findings warrant attention, and hotline services should implement timely identification, psychological support, and targeted interventions to effectively alleviate psychological distress and reduce potential suicide risk in these high-risk groups.

Keywords: characteristics; mental health; psychological support hotline; risk factors; unemployment.

Figure 1

Flowchart of enrolling and screening callers.