Economic Contraction and Mental Health A Review of the Evidence, 1990-2009

被引:91
作者
Goldman-Mellor, Sidra J. [1 ]
Saxton, Katherine B. [1 ]
Catalano, Ralph C. [2 ]
机构
[1] Univ Calif Berkeley, Sch Publ Hlth, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
[2] Univ Calif Berkeley, Sch Publ Hlth, Publ Hlth, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
关键词
D O I
10.2753/IMH0020-7411390201
中图分类号
B849 [应用心理学];
学科分类号
040203 ;
摘要
Background: Theory and empirical evidence suggest that economic contraction predicts increased incidence of psychological disorder. The extent to which this relation can be causally attributed to the economic experiences of individuals remains uncertain. Methods: We critically examine literature concerning the impact of economic contraction, measured at the individual or ecological level, on four mental health outcomes (depression, suicide, substance abuse, and antisocial behavior) from the past two decades. Studies at the individual level use job loss, transition to inadequate employment, or welfare as the independent variable. Studies at the ecological level primarily use the unemployment rate. Results: In the studies that best establish causality, research indicates a moderate but significant adverse effect of job loss on individual depression symptoms, but the net population effect remains speculative. For suicide and antisocial behavior, individual- and ecological-level studies converge to suggest a moderate positive association with economic contraction. Although some research on substance abuse suggests procyclical effects, the majority indicate that job loss significantly increases the risk of heavy drinking and symptoms of alcohol abuse. For all outcomes, various characteristics of the population or the specific economic exposure studied can modify the overall association. Conclusions: The studies reviewed suggest that adverse economic transitions predict increased mental health problems, particularly depression, suicide, and substance abuse. The strength of the association, particularly when measuring the response of populations to contracting economies remains unclear.
引用
收藏
页码:6 / 31
页数:26
相关论文
共 105 条
  • [1] [Anonymous], 2022, WORLD MENTAL HLTH RE
  • [2] Does the economy affect teenage substance use?
    Arkes, Jeremy
    [J]. HEALTH ECONOMICS, 2007, 16 (01) : 19 - 36
  • [3] NEUROENDOCRINE AND IMMUNOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND JOB INSECURITY
    ARNETZ, BB
    BRENNER, SO
    LEVI, L
    HJELM, R
    PETTERSON, IL
    WASSERMAN, J
    PETRINI, B
    ENEROTH, P
    KALLNER, A
    KVETNANSKY, R
    VIGAS, M
    [J]. PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOSOMATICS, 1991, 55 (2-4) : 76 - 80
  • [4] Belluck P, 2009, NY TIMES
  • [5] FRUSTRATION AGGRESSION HYPOTHESIS - EXAMINATION AND REFORMULATION
    BERKOWITZ, L
    [J]. PSYCHOLOGICAL BULLETIN, 1989, 106 (01) : 59 - 73
  • [6] Psychological distress during unemployment and beyond: social support and material deprivation among youth in six northern European countries
    Bjarnason, T
    Sigurdardottir, TJ
    [J]. SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE, 2003, 56 (05) : 973 - 985
  • [7] Unemployment and suicide. Evidence for a causal association?
    Blakely, TA
    Collings, SCD
    Atkinson, J
    [J]. JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH, 2003, 57 (08) : 594 - 600
  • [8] Brady KT, 1999, ALCOHOL RES HEALTH, V23, P263
  • [9] Effects of Layoffs and Plant Closings on Subsequent Depression Among Older Workers
    Brand, Jennie E.
    Levy, Becca R.
    Gallo, William T.
    [J]. RESEARCH ON AGING, 2008, 30 (06) : 701 - 721
  • [10] Brenner MH, 1973, MENTAL ILLNESS EC