Individual Unemployment

migrant mother, dorothea lange, 1936

unemployed individuals unable earn money meet financial obligations. failure pay mortgage payments or pay rent may lead homelessness through foreclosure or eviction. across united states growing ranks of people made homeless in foreclosure crisis generating tent cities.

unemployment increases susceptibility cardiovascular disease, somatization, anxiety disorders, depression, , suicide. in addition, unemployed people have higher rates of medication use, poor diet, physician visits, tobacco smoking, alcoholic beverage consumption, drug use, , lower rates of exercise. according study published in social indicator research, tend optimistic find difficult on bright side of things when unemployed. using interviews , data german participants aged 16 94—including individuals coping stresses of real life , not volunteering student population—the researchers determined optimists struggled being unemployed.

in 1979, brenner found every 10% increase in number of unemployed there increase of 1.2% in total mortality, 1.7% increase in cardiovascular disease, 1.3% more cirrhosis cases, 1.7% more suicides, 4.0% more arrests, , 0.8% more assaults reported police.

a study ruhm, in 2000, on effect of recessions on health found several measures of health improve during recessions. impact of economic downturn on crime, during great depression crime rate did not decrease. unemployed in u.s. use welfare programs such food stamps or accumulating debt because unemployment insurance in u.s. not replace majority of income 1 received on job (and 1 cannot receive such aid indefinitely).

not suffers equally unemployment. in prospective study of 9570 individuals on 4 years, highly conscientious people suffered more twice if became unemployed. authors suggested may due conscientious people making different attributions why became unemployed, or through experiencing stronger reactions following failure. there possibility of reverse causality poor health unemployment.

some researchers hold many of low-income jobs not better option unemployment welfare state (with unemployment insurance benefits). since difficult or impossible unemployment insurance benefits without having worked in past, these jobs , unemployment more complementary substitutes. (these jobs held short-term, either students or trying gain experience; turnover in low-paying jobs high.)

another cost unemployed combination of unemployment, lack of financial resources, , social responsibilities may push unemployed workers take jobs not fit skills or allow them use talents. unemployment can cause underemployment, , fear of job loss can spur psychological anxiety. anxiety, can cause depression, lack of confidence, , huge amounts of stress. stress increased when unemployed faced health issues, poverty, , lack of relational support.

another personal cost of unemployment impact on relationships. 2008 study covizzi, examines relationship between unemployment , divorce, found rate of divorce greater couples when 1 partner unemployed. however, more recent study has found couples stick in unhappy or unhealthy marriages when unemployed buffer financial costs. 2014 study van der meer found stigma comes being unemployed affects personal well-being, men, feel though masculine identities threatened unemployment.

unemployment can bring personal costs in relation gender. 1 study found women more experience unemployment men , less move temporary positions permanent positions. study on gender , unemployment found men, however, more experience greater stress, depression, , adverse effects unemployment, largely stemming perceived threat role breadwinner. study found men expect viewed less manly after job loss are, , result engage in compensating behaviors, such financial risk-taking , increased assertiveness, because of it.

costs of unemployment vary depending on age. young , old 2 largest age groups experiencing unemployment. 2007 study jacob , kleinert found young people (ages 18 24) have fewer resources , limited work experiences more unemployed. other researchers have found today’s high school seniors place lower value on work in past, , because recognize limited availability of jobs. @ other end of age spectrum, studies have found older individuals have more barriers younger workers employment, require stronger social networks acquire work, , less move temporary permanent positions. additionally, older people see age discrimination reason not getting hired.