The interplay of gender, social context, and long-term unemployment effects on subjective health trajectories

Abstract

Background While a strong negative impact of unemployment on health has been established, the present research examined the lesser studied interplay of gender, social context and job loss on health trajectories. Methods Data from the German Socio-Economic Panel was used, which provided a representative sample of 6838 participants. Using latent growth modelling the effects of gender, social context (East vs. West Germans), unemployment (none, short-term or long-term), and their interactions were examined on health (single item measures of self-rated health and life satisfaction respectively). Results Social context in general significantly predicted the trajectories of self-rated health and life satisfaction. Most notably, data analysis revealed that West German women reported significantly lower baseline values of self-rated health following unemployment and did not recover to the levels of their East German counterparts. Only long-term, not short-term unemployment was related to lower baseline values of self-rated health, whereas, in relation to baseline values of life satisfaction, both types of unemployment had a similar negative effect. Conclusions In an economic crisis, individuals who already carry a higher burden, and not only those most directly affected economically, may show the greatest health effects.

How is the way we spend our time related to psychological wellbeing? A cross-sectional analysis of time-use patterns in the general population and their associations with wellbeing and life satisfaction

“…Men with children who lose their paid work are more likely to see it as a defeat while women are more likely to see it as an opportunity [ 19 ]. In a recent study of health trajectories across the lifespan, women’s health was more closely linked to aspects of family than paid work, and non-traditional lifestyles (i.e., not working full-time, having a steady partner or children) were associated with worse physical health in men but not in women [ 20 ]. In general, women seem to be less conflicted about their dual commitment to work and family (e.g., childcare) than men [ 21 , 22 ].…”

Determinants of gender disparities in psychological distress among youth and adults in South Africa: Evidence from the 2017 national population-based household survey

“…Being unemployed increases the probability of experiencing stress-inducing factors such as socioeconomic deprivation, lack of resources, limited opportunities, and low self-regard [44,45]. Gender differences and the effect of unemployment on mental health are related to the different social positions and roles associated with psychosocial and economic needs depending on the context, such that unemployed women have worse mental health and lower life satisfaction than unemployed men in some settings [46][47][48].…”

Gender roles and selection mechanisms across contexts: a comparative analysis of the relationship between unemployment, self‐perceived health and gender

“…As stated earlier, to support these expectations, we implement a three‐step comparison, which assumes differences between countries, regions and cohorts as a proxy for different gender regimes. This approach builds on extensive existing research that leverages cross‐context variation to measure (see Bauernschuster & Rainer, 2012; Beblo & Görges, 2018; Brooks & Bolzendahl, 2004; Ebner et al, 2020; Lee et al, 2007; Lippmann et al, 2020; Piotrowski et al, 2019) and to proxy variation in traditionalism and egalitarianism (see Altweck et al, 2021; Pollmann‐Schult & Reynolds, 2017; Russell & Barbieri, 2000; Scheuring et al, 2021; Strandh et al, 2013).…”